heinnews: Herme you have been working as a Tiger Woods lookalike for years now, making upwards dozens of appearances over those years and study him and his movements and personality quite extensively. You also consider yourself a Tiger Woods fan. What has it been like for you the last couple weeks with all of these amazing revelations surfacing about Tiger Woods?
Chua: I think like many other fans, there was quite a mix of emotions - first shock, then disbelief, disappointment, and then sympathy for everyone involved.  I felt so sorry for Elin and the children, because they had no control over what happened.  I also feel bad for Tiger, who probably never realized that his bad decisions would cause such havoc.  On the other hand, Tiger’s misfortune has actually been good for my business.  I noticed that the e-mail inquiries went up dramatically, and my website has received a 5-10 times increase in hits.  I was also interviewed on national TV and also appeared in a YouTube movie re-enactment of what happened.

heinnews: Sponsors have already been having a response, many deciding to drop him or taking out of stores advertisements featuring Tiger Woods. What are your thoughts on this? Is it surprising at all?
Chua: I am not surprised by their actions - Tiger’s actions have caused him to lose his great role model status.  Many people no longer view him as a role model.  I was surprised that Phil Knight of Nike called it a “minor blip” though - I think many people would disagree with that statement.

heinnews: Your wife and family know about your appearances as Tiger. What has their response been to all this madness revolving around him? Also their response to you doing this work?
Chua: Everyone has been shocked.  They continue to support my work, and still enjoy seeing when I appear on TV or other media.

heinnews: Staying on that, of course the whole story is only about three weeks old. But how has it impacted you doing work as Tiger? Have you made any appearances since this all started?
Chua: It has definitely made an impact - I have appeared on CBS on The Insider, have been filmed for a YouTube movie, and recently did a photo shoot and video interview.  I have also received numerous inquiries for various jobs.  It has been a lot busier than usual.

heinnews: And do you think it will have a lingering affect on your work as Tiger over the next few months?
Chua: I really don’t know what to expect - it has been busy, but eventually I expect the demand for a Tiger Woods lookalike to slow down.

heinnews: After reading about some of the things that Tiger has done, have you thought at all about giving up on working as a Tiger lookalike? If so, why?
Chua: I haven’t really thought about giving up the job, simply because the demand is still there, and in fact it has increased.  I know this is probably just going to be in the short term, but while there is a demand for my services, I do not think I will give it up.  I might think about giving it up when the demand slows down.  All along I have done this as a fun part-time way to earn a little extra money.  I haven’t depended on the income from these jobs, so it will be easy to walk away from it all.  It has been a fun 9 years, and I have gotten a chance to meet a lot of really nice people.

heinnews: Have you or the agencies you work with been contacted at all by Tiger’s people? If so, what has their response been to you and the agencies? Are they asking you to not make any appearances?
Chua: I have not been contacted at all by any of Tiger’s people.

heinnews: Lots of people are saying what they think Tiger should do now to help repair his image - make a public statement, go on the Oprah Winfrey show, etc. As someone who has experienced Tiger Woods fans close up and personal more than anyone else other than Tiger Woods himself, what would you suggest? Or what do you think he must do now?
Chua: I wished that he just came out and admitted everything from the beginning.  I think that it was so much uglier to hear bits and pieces come out from all of these women, and it made it hard to figure out who was telling the truth or not.  We still don’t really know what really happened - I’m sure some of these people are lying.  Right now, I think he just needs to figure out if they are going to try to still make their marriage work - that is probably going to be the hardest thing he’s ever done in his life.  I think he needs to do some soul searching and reflect on what type of person he wants to be.

heinnews: How many appearances have you had since the scandal broke? What was the event and what was it like for you doing it? Had it changed at all? Also the response from the fans?
Chua: There have been 2 memorable things that happened since the scandal broke out - 1 was been getting interviewed on The Insider by Niecy Nash, and the other was being part of a YouTube movie that was a spoof of Tiger’s voicemail message. The reaction has been mostly positive - of course, you can’t please everyone, but it has mostly been very positive.  People have found the YouTube video to be funny, and I thought they did a great job with it.  I also did a recent photo shoot and video interview, but I’m not sure where that will end up yet…

heinnews: Do you think this whole scandal will lead to more people wanting to have Tiger Woods lookalike make appearances? Could you imagine totally different areas of society asking for a Tiger lookalike?
Chua: I think the scandal is going to lessen the demand for a Tiger lookalike.  All of the attention I have gotten is only temporary.  I don’t think that people will want a Tiger around, unless he comes back to golf and continues setting records.

heinnews: Last question, what is the biggest positive to come out of all this?
Chua: There really isn’t much of a positive thing that can come out of this.  I think that this scandal has hurt so many people, and it has been devastating.  If you look at the damage that this has done and the number of people it has affected, this has got to be one of the most damaging scandals in a long time - it affects Tiger, Elin, the children, golf fans everywhere, the sport of golf, the PGA tour, the corporate sponsors, etc.  Tiger has brought so much to the game of golf, and this scandal has also taken a lot of it away.

For those interested in more information about Chua and his work, take a look at www.tigerwoodslookalike.com

And basketball’s ruling body FIBA made the best decision it could make from a basketball standpoint – though it did miss a chance to change at least somewhat the direction of the game.

First off, addressing the first point.

Looking at the talent level, FIBA made the correct choice in picking Germany, Lebanon, Lithuania and Russia.

Starting with Lithuania, FIBA had an easy choice in awarding Lithuania a wild card. Not only is Lithuania one of the biggest basketball nations in the world but it also will be hosting the EuroBasket 2011. It would have been shocking had FIBA not chosen the Lithuanians.

Germany meanwhile saved their chances of heading to Turkey next summer by coming up with a superb showing at EuroBasket 2009 in Poland with a young, exciting team, which will now get the likes of Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman to lead them in 2010. And the facts that Nowitzki is a lock to play in Turkey if he’s healthy and that he is so supportive of the national team made the decision easy for FIBA.

Now things started getting complicated.

Choosing Russia for a wild card is not really that much of a surprise. The Russians captured the 2007 EuroBasket title and had a strong showing at the 2009 EuroBasket without top stars such as Andrei Kirilenko, J.R. Holden, Viktor Khyrapa and Sasha Kaun. But head coach David Blatt showed, just like Germany, that there is more than just the stars. And a commitment from Kirilenko to play in Turkey also had an impact on FIBA’s decision – as did the storied history of basketball in Russia/Soviet Union.

FIBA however had a major decision to make in selecting which four nations will be awarded wild cards. Would it hand three of the four wild cards to European teams or just two?

Another strong candidate for a wild card would have been Great Britain, who will be hosting the 2012 Olympics.
FIBA also could have given a wild card to an African nation as both Cameroon and Nigeria would have been worthy participants. A wild card for either of those teams would have meant FIBA was more dedicated than ever to promoting the game in Africa.

But the FIBA board decided to award the fourth wild card to Asian powers Lebanon, who are more than a worthy choice. The Lebanese were regulars in international tournaments along with China. But they have fallen slightly behind Iran and were surprised by Jordan in the Asian qualifying tournament. Lebanon however have shown in the past that they are a strong team and FIBA acknowledged that with its selection.

All told, basketball fans throughout the world can be happy about the four wild card selections. Fans in Africa would have liked to have an additional spot. But now the Africans need to show in Turkey that they deserve a wild card from a basketball standpoint.

heinnews: Knowing that you have two big guys out – Felipe Reyes and Tomas van den Spiegel – is this the kind of performance that you wanted to see on the road?
Messina: I think the team is moving well. We have had some ups and downs, especially when we play at home. And I do not know why. The way we start games on the road is clearly much better than how we start them at home. Maybe we feel more pressure at home to start the games well. But overall I am very happy and pleased with the effort of the team, the improvement of the team because we are playing without two big guys and we have a lot of new players. So I am just happy with their effort and their quality. Obviously if they did not have that quality they would not be here. I just hope we continue without getting – let’s say – misled by this big win.

heinnews: You let Vladimir Dasic play the end of the third quarter and all of the fourth quarter. Was that a reward for what he’s been doing in practice?
Messina: For sure. He’s a player with a lot of ability. He can become an excellent player. He has to learn how to play the three position. For sure if I have the opportunity to give him the minutes, I will give him the minutes because he deserves them because he works hard every time in practice.

heinnews: What about you personally? How has your transition gone from Moscow to Madrid?
Messina: As for basketball it’s been very good. I am in a very nice organization with professional people. And I have found the same condition that I was lucky to have in Moscow – a good team, a great group of people working together. And as for the life there, obviously you cannot say you don’t enjoy a great town like Madrid (smiling).

heinnews: Staying with basketball, how much different is it for you being in Spain and the Spanish league than being in Moscow and the Russian league?
Messina: The most important difference is that the league in Spain is extremely competitive. And you never have a chance to rest yourself or the players because maybe you don’t have a – let’s say – tough game on Sunday. In the Russian league it’s a little bit split. The first four or five teams it’s a very tough match-up every time. But honestly you have games you win because you are much better. In the Spanish league, especially when you play on the road, you can lose anywhere – because there is a big crowd, because the teams are good and because there is a lot of balance.

heinnews: How much do you enjoy that as a coach?
Messina: Well, you know, you like it. But sometimes you would like to be able to save some energy for the Euroleague games since the Euroleague is the most important competition we have in Europe right now.

heinnews: Sticking with Euroleague, the team has been playing very well so far, the big guys will be coming back. While you may not want to say the championship is the goal, but what are some of the goals you want the team to achieve?
Messina: We need to find consistency. Consistency and the ability to play well even when things are not going well. Because in the playoffs and if we get there the Top 16 not every time you have a chance to play in a game where everything goes fine. Sometimes because of the level of the opponent or because you just play a normal game and not a great game, you must be able to not panic and find a way to win in every situation.

heinnews: Obviously Oldenburg were playing against Real Madrid – one of the best teams in the Euroleague. But wow tough is this loss for the team?

Foster: Any time you’re playing one of the best teams in Europe you have to come and play your best because they play at a high level the whole game. You have to tip your hats to them. They have a really good team. 

heinnews: How did this performance compared to what the team has been able to do in the Euroleague thus far?

Foster: I just think today was one of those games where we were not on our game. They came out playing well. They passed the ball well. They worked together really well. It was just one of those days where it was not going right for us. 

heinnews: Real were shooting 72 percent from the field after three quarters, was that Oldenburg’s defense or them just having great execution?

Foster: I think it’s just good execution. We played okay defense. They just made tough shots. 

heinnews: What does the team want to take from this showing and the rest of their games in the Euroleague in the BBL?

Foster: We just have to come out and play every game. No matter who the opponent is we have to come out ready to play. 

heinnews: How well do you think Oldenburg has presented themselves in the Euroleague thus far?

Foster: I think we’ve done pretty good. Of course you don’t like losing but losing is part of basketball. We just have to go back and get ready for the next game. 

heinnews: And in the BBL? Eight weeks into the season, what do you think about the state of the team?

Foster: I think we are doing okay in the league. We just need to go back to the drawing board and keep practicing and playing hard.

heinnews: Don King, welcome to Germany. What did you think of the fight between David Haye and Nikolai Valuev?
King: It was a wonderful opportunity for me to be here and do this. I also want to complement Germany on becoming one Germany. Not East Germany, NEIN! NEIN! Not West Germany, NEIN! NEIN! ONE Germany! JA! That’s what we want to do! I’m very happy. We saw a brilliant performance and you have to applaud it. And I think David Haye and his strategy to win proved out to be wonderful. David Haye was brilliant in this fight. It was a defensive fight but it was a planned strategy that worked out quite well. Under the circumstances, it’s great. He’s a great champion.And all I have is Kudos for David Haye. And congratulations, the Brits did it again. So we should go out and enjoy the sport of boxing. God save the Queen!

heinnews: You are in the Valuev camp, can he have a re-match with Haye?
King: I wasn’t involved in the contract. But they have a re-match clause in there for Valuev. It’s an option between the Hayemaker and himself, working with Sauerland. I think Nikolai Valuev will return. He’s going to be rising from the ashes of the phoenix. You will see more of the big giant. He has to get a little bit more of a killer instinct. He has to deal with what is real and practical. He’s such a gentleman. He’s such a wonderful guy. He helps old ladies across the street. He stops guys from snatching their pocketbooks. He loves his wife. What more can you ask? He has to become a killer in the ring. And then outside the ring be that wonderful gentleman that he is. He’s a giant-sized man. And I’m just delighted that I have the opportunity to work with him. And I look forward to seeing David Haye. Because Carl Lewis doesn’t have anything on David Haye. It’s great that he can use his speed and his brilliance and his athleticism. I think it was wonderful. It was a great show here in Germany. And we’re very happy to be a part of unified Germany.

heinnews: Do you think David Haye can become a bigger entity in the U.S.?
King: He has an opportunity to do so. He has a little bit of work still. He will be fighting guys his size. And the strategy he employed today would have to change dramatically. However you can’t take away from the man, who was looking for his five stones and his sling shot. He was looking for them. That’s why he was running. We didn’t know. He was looking for his stones and sling shot. Instead of the stick and move, he ran and stuck.

heinnews: What do you think about boxing fans who want to see Haye face off against one of the Klitchko brothers?
King: The Klitchko brothers are very good. It would be very good if he can survive John Ruiz and go through the options that he has, the Klitchkos should be one of them because they are brilliant brothers and it’s just so good to see two brothers both be heavyweight champions of the world. And I applaud them for doing that. I think they are just sensational guys.

heinnews: What impact do you think David Haye will have on boxing?
King: I think it’s great. Some times you get a chance to see that the little guy can win. Victor Hugo said years ago that the greatness of a nation can no more be determined by its number than by the greatness of a man can be determined by his size. Little men are giants too. Today, David Haye is a giant. So it’s always going to be an impact, to give those who are doubters, those who are nay-sayers, and those who feel that it can never be done. It gives hopes and aspiration and inspiration to those to say Yes I can when everyone says No you can’t. So it’s very, very good when you can see this type of thing implemented. I think David Haye was wonderful, brilliant.

heinnews: Looking at David Haye, the Klitchko brothers and the Super Six, what do you think about the state of boxing?
King: The Super Six is great in order to get a super middleweight champion. However, it’s good for boxing to do anything that will bring fans into the seats and give them an opportunity to be entertained mano y mano, man to man. It’s a combat sport. That’s what we’re talking about here. You can’t call time-out and send in a substitute. And if you run out of petrol, there’s no gas station in sight. You must be able to deal with what’s really practical. And that’s what makes this the greatest sport in the world. Boxing is life and life is boxing.

heinnews: Last question because I know you want to have some fun, what is coming up for Don King over the next couple of weeks and months?
King: Right now I will be going back to America. We have a fight with Daniel Santos, he’s going to be fighting Yuri Foreman in the undercard of Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao. So it’s going to be another big weekend of fights. And it’s gonna be great. And then we are going to be planning on what we will be doing futuristically. Because now I have launched my own network. It’s not TV. It’s donkingtv.com. And I think that people globally around the world should be able to bear witness to this sport, to get up close and personal, to learn about the family. Remember that song, “Getting to know you, getting to know all about you”. That’s what we want to do. To get people to know each other, understand one another, and go out and live the life and love the life you live.

heinnews: Mr. Don King, as always, you are amazing.
King: Thanks young man.

heinnews: How disappointed are you after this loss in the Champions League
Robben: Very disappointed. I think it’s normal in football. If you lose and you’re not disappointed then something is not right. We wanted to win the game today for sure, and we needed to win so it’s disappointing.

heinnews: What is the explanation of the game?
Robben: I think in the first half we didn’t create enough, we didn’t play well enough. Some times you also need a little bit of luck in football that things can change. But you also have to try to get the luck on your side by playing well.

heinnews: Coach Louis van Gaal talked about the penalty that you didn’t get. How did you see the situation and how did it impact the outcome of the game?
Robben: Every time all the decisions are decisive for the game. But that’s also football. Sometimes you get a penalty sometimes not. But that’s a little bit of luck you need to change the game. But that’s a decision of the referee, and I think you can’t blame the referee. And you have to accept today that we just didn’t win.

heinnews: Are you still confident that Bayern will reach the next stage of the Champions League?
Robben: We have to be. But we also have to realize that it’s going to be very difficult - also because Juve won today. So you have to win both matches and hope that Juve do not win in Bordeaux.

heinnews: What do you think that will happen in the following days?
Robben: I think the main thing is that we don’t create any trouble ourselves. That’s your job (the press) to make the trouble and the crisis. We just have to stay calm and keep things inside the team. In a couple days we have another important game. It may be difficult but we need to forget this game. Saturday is a very important game to step forward in the league. We’re still in the league, still in the cup and still in the Champions League.

heinnews: How good will it be to have the national team break coming up after the Schalke game?
Robben: Sometimes it can be good. Sometimes it can be good. Sometimes you’re in a good situation and you want to continue. You want more and more games. Maybe at this time it’s good to have a break. I think we just have to look at ourselves and improve week by week. But for me it’s not a difficult situation.

heinnews: There has been a lot of criticism coming from the media tonight about the game. Do you think that’s fair?
Robben: I don’t know if it’s fair. But you just have to look at the game. We will have a look at the game tomorrow and also be critical of ourselves. I think that’s the most important thing - to be critical of yourself as well. And we also have to improve our game and nothing more.

heinnews: Can you play a full 90 minutes?
Robben: For me it’s a difficult situation. At the moment, I’m not top fit. But I also know the difficult situation of the club and I tried to help the team. Today I am not at 100 percent, but I just tried my best to help the team. But I also need more training and more time because the recovery I had with the knee was not good. It was not a good job. Every time it was okay, it was bad again. Time wise maybe it went quick. But I just tried my best today.

heinnews: You said there were 40 coaches who in essence passed the course. Is FIBA Europe satisfied with those numbers?
Schwarz: In the end, I think that’s a good number. At first, the program has to become recognized. Maybe not every coach was aware that they had to take part on all three courses (U16 the first summer, U18 the second summer and U20 the third summer) and that we are pretty strict. There were a couple at the beginning who figured they would just take a look at it for now. But I think now everyone knows about it. The feedback went back to the federations and even more coaches registered to take part. And the quality of the coaches – on paper – is higher than the first class. There are also senior coaches and national team coaches, which is not exactly what we are looking for. We want work with coaches who specialize in working with youngsters. But back to the first class, there were 44 coaches who took the exams and four did not pass them. Forty did and I think that’s a good number. The group was very good and motivated.

heinnews: A new group started at the U16 European Championship this summer in Lithuania. So there will be a new group every two years?
Schwarz: Yeah and that works out very well. Also because there is also the U18 All Star Game, which was very well received. So not only do you have the U18 All Star Game but you also have the best of the class – the four best coaches from the program – getting a chance to coach the teams at the game.

heinnews: What is the future of the U18 All Star Game?
Schwarz: I hope it continues. It was a relatively big success. Everybody liked it. The players were happy to play and I think it’s a good thing for the young players who really star in our events to bring them in the FIBA Europe family early on.

heinnews: And how often will the game take place? Not every year?
Schwarz: No, it will be at the senior EuroBasket. So the next one will be at EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania. So, every two years, when a FECC ends.

heinnews: The past few weeks have been full of discussions about foreigner regulations in Germany. Through your time with Kickz Munich you know about the lower ranks in German basketball. What do you think about the regulations the BBL decided on – having five and then six Germans on the game roster over one German on the court at all times?
Schwarz: I think it’s the second-best solution. I think players should play because of ability. The best way would be that the Germans are good enough to earn their playing time on their own. But if we can’t get to that point then there is a certain protectionism in trying to get to that point. If nothing else works, then you come up with these rules that the Germans get to play. As a coach, it’s a hindrance in their choice of playing players according to performance and tactics. Sometimes you may have to play someone who may not be up to the level to play. So, it’s not easy. But it makes sense for the development of German players.

heinnews: Looking at the measures in the BBL, ProA and ProB as well as the advancements of the NBBL U19 league and the start of the JBBL U16 league, how do you see the future of German basketball?
Schwarz: I think the Germans had a very good showing at the EuroBasket in Poland. We have good young players. That’s exactly the point. When you talk to other federations and coaches from other countries and they say: Where have you been hiding this Benzing kid? We never saw him before. Or this player? That is telling. But I think they did a very good job there. (Dirk) Bauermann really prepared them well. But they have to play and get experience – that’s the most important part.

heinnews: So, let’s get away from the future and look at the present. You have been named the new head coach at Bayern Munich. What are your thoughts going into this assignment?
Schwarz: It’s definitely an honor that FC Bayern asked me, that they considered me to coach the ProA team. Of course it’s a difficult situation at the moment. Whenever a coaching change takes place, something did not work out. But I was very happy about the offer. I did not need to think about it very long. I was called and asked and I said right away that I was interested. Now I have had two practices with the team. And they are motivated. The team has potential. And I hope that we can bring home a couple of wins.

heinnews: It’s well known how unceremonious the break-up between Bayern and coach Georg Kämpf was. How difficult is it for you to enter this situation?
Schwarz: For me, it’s more important that the team is intact, that there are motivated players and no one is saying, Oh I don’t want to play for that coach or anything like that. But I want players who want to play and want to win games. I have no problems with the guys. And I am not thinking about anything else, about what happened with Kämpf and what didn’t. We can’t waste any time thinking about that. We have to look forward and prepare the team. Hopefully we don’t need too long for the team to understand my philosophy and for me to know all the players and their strengths and weaknesses.

 
heinnews: Do you have any ideas about what you may want to change within the team after the first couple of practices?
Schwarz: We will change a few things on defense though the basics are pretty much the same. And we will make things a bit simpler on offense. I think as coach you have to have your signature. But we will take things step by step. We won’t be putting together a whole new playbook or anything like that. But over the next 3, 4, 5 games we will add a couple new things.

heinnews: Was there any doubt about keeping Mauricio Parra as assistant coach?
Schwarz: He’s a good person to have there to talk to. He was hired by Bayern Munich to work with the youth teams and he has done a tremendous job. Plus he knows everything that was discussed in the pre-season and during the season and he knows the systems. I am happy he is here.

heinnews: What is the goal for the season?
Schwarz: Just play game for game. We don’t have any playoffs, so we have to make sure we finish as best we can.

heinnews: When you look around Europe, clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos all have superb basketball and football teams. Bayern Munich is known really only for football. Do you think Bayern is a club that could have a presence in both sports at a high level?
Schwarz: I think the potential is in the club. There is a commitment to see basketball played at the top level in Europe. And they know that it’s good for the image of Bayern. But it remains a question how far the chairmanship wants to go. They want to reach the first league. But they are looking at everything cautiously, which is probably the best way for them. And they want the basketball team to do things themselves – work things ourselves and look for sponsors ourselves.
But if a Munich team would reach the first league and establish themselves in that league than it would be Bayern Munich.

heinnews: But doesn’t it aggravate you at all, knowing that just one fewer South Americans football player could do quite a bit for the club in basketball?
Schwarz: Well, compare that to the millions and millions that Real Madrid are spending.

heinnews: No, not for the Euroleague over night. But building up something slowly. Getting to the EuroCup you don’t need that much money necessarily.
Schwarz: That’s true. But what’s important is that you see signs that things could be going that direction. Now let’s see what happens this season. We need to win some games and then things will maybe look better.

heinnews: Do you see any players who need to step up to get promotion to the BBL?
Schwarz: We are not talking about the promotion right now. We are just 2-3 right now. So that’s not really the right time as we are in the lower third of the standings. First let’s win some games and slowly move up the table. But as far as individual players, I think the whole team needs to step their game up. It wouldn’t be right to single out one player. And if I were to, that would be done internally.

Africa (5 Players)
Cameroon (1)
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute - Milwaukee

DR Congo (2)
Serge Ibaka - Oklahoma City
Didier Ilunga-Mbenga - LA Lakers

Senegal (1)
DeSagana Diop - Charlotte

Tanzania (1)
Hasheem Thabeet - Memphis

Asia-Pacific (7 Players)
Australia (4)
David Andersen - Houston
Andrew Bogut - Milwaukee
Nathan Jawai - Minnesota
Patrick Mills - Portland

China (2)
Yao Ming - Houston
Yi Jianlian - New Jersey

Iran (1)
Hamed Haddadi - Memphis

Europe (52 Players)
Croatia (1)
Roko Leni Ukic - Milwaukee

England (4)
Kelenna Azubuike - Golden State
Luol Deng - Chicago
Ben Gordon - Detroit
Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Houston

France (10)
Alexis Ajinca - Charlotte
Nicolas Batum - Portland
Rodrigue Beaubois - Dallas
Boris Diaw - Charlotte
Yakhouba Diawara - Miami
Ian Mahinmi - San Antonio
Tony Parker - San Antonio
Johan Petro - Denver
Mickael Pietrus - Orlando
Ronny Turiaf - Golden State

Georgia (1)
Zaza Pachulia - Atlanta

Germany (1)
Dirk Nowitzki - Dallas

Greece (1)
Kosta Koufos - Utah

Holland (2)
Francisco Elson - Milwaukee
Dan Gadzuric - Milwaukee

Israel (1)
Omri Casspi - Sacramento

Italy (3)
Andrea Bargnani - Toronto
Marco Belinelli - Toronto
Danilo Gallinari - New York,

Latvia (1)
Andris Biedrins - Golden State

Lithuania (2)
Zydrunas Ilgaukas - Cleveland
Darius Songalia - New Orleans

Poland (1)
Marcin Gortat - Orlando

Russia (1)
Andrei Kirilenko - Utah

Serbia (6)
Marko Jaric - Memphis
Nenad Krstic - Oklahoma City
Darko Milicic - New York
Aleksandar Pavlovic - Minnesota
Vladimir Radmanovic - Charlotte
Peja Stojakovic - New Orleans

Slovenia (5)
Primoz Brezec - Philadelphia
Goran Dragic - Phoenix
Rasho Nesterovic - Toronto
Beno Udrih - Sacramento
Sasha Vujacic - LA Lakers

Spain (5)
Jose Calderon - Toronto
Rudy Fernandez - Portland
Marc Gasol - Memphis
Pau Gasol - LA Lakers
Sergio Rodriguez - Sacramento

Sweden (1)
Jonas Jerebko - Detroit

Switzerland (1)
Thabo Sefolosha - Oklahoma City

Turkey (3)
Ersan Ilyasova - Milwaukee
Mehmet Okur - Utah
Hedo Turkoglu - Toronto

Ukraine (2)
Kyrylo Fesenko - Utah
Oleksiy Pecherov - Minnesota

North/Central America/Caribbean (11 Players)
Canada (4)
Joel Anthony Miami
Samuel Dalembert - Philadelphia
Jamaal Magloire - Miami
Steve Nash - Phoenix

Dominican Republic (2)
Francisco Garcia - Sacramento
Al Horford - Miami

Mexico (1)
Eduardo Najera - New Jersey

Puerto Rico (1)
Jose Barea - Dallas

St Vincent and the Grenadines (1)
Adonal Foyle - Orlando

US Virgin Island (2)
Raja Bell - Charlotte
Tim Duncan - San Antonio

South America (8 Players)
Argentina (5)
Carlos Delfino - Milwaukee
Manu Ginobili - San Antonio
Andres Nocioni - Sacramento
Fabricio Oberto - Washington
Luis Scola - Houston

Brazil (3)
Leandro Barbosa - Phoenix
Nene - Denver
Anderson Varejao - Cleveland

Casspi - a 6-foot-9 forward - guided Israeli giants Maccabi Tel Aviv to the domestic league title last season and in 2006. He also helped Maccabi to the 2006 and 2008 Euroleague championship game. And Casspi has played for the Israeli senior national team since 2008.
Withdrew, then first round pick
Casspi registered for the NBA Draft in 2008 but withdrew his name when he could not receive a guarantee that he would be selected in the first round. Then Casspi made history in June 2009 when the Sacramento Kings selected him with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft, making him the first ever Israeli to be drafted in the first round.

Past Israelis with NBA ties
Oded Katash nearly became the first Israeli to play in the NBA in 1999 when he signed a two-year contract with the New York Knicks. But he lost his patience during the player lockout of that season and moved back to Maccabi Tel Aviv before playing for the Knicks.
Doron Sheffer was selected with the 36th pick in the 1996 draft by the Los Angels Clippers, but never received a contract by the team. More recent Israeli prospects Lior Eliyahu and Yotam Halperin were chosen 44th and 53rd respectively in 2006 but have yet to reach the NBA.

Solid Pre-Season
Casspi, who has his 25-year-old brother Eitan with him in Sacramento, initially struggled with his adjustment to the United States but performed well during the pre-season for the Kings, finishing as the ninth leading scorer among rookies with 11.7 points per game. He also shot 55 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range.

Jewish Excitement About Casspi
Casspi has sprouted plenty of excitement in Jewish communities in the U.S. with Kings fans wearing jerseys with Casspi’s name spelled in Hebrew. In addition, the New York Knicks have already designated the Kings’ game in New York in February as Jewish Heritage Night.