France Basketball celebrated Guerschon Yabusele's move to the Philadelphia 76ers after reports emerged on Sunday that he had agreed a $2.1million deal with the NBA franchise following his standout performances at the Paris Olympics.

The French forward is believed to have signed a one-year contract with the Sixers after propelling France to Olympic silver earlier this month.

Yabusele experienced a breakout tournament on the hosts' run to the final, scoring 22 points against Canada, 17 against Germany and 20 against Team USA in the gold-medal match.

His impressive run in the knockout rounds also saw him shoot 16-for-24 (66.7%) from the field overall.

Yabusele joins the 76ers from Real Madrid, ending a three-year stint in the Spanish capital.

During his spell with Madrid, the team reached the EuroLeague final four every season and even won the title in 2023.

P.H.A.S.E 1 Kingston emerged as the standout team on Day 2 of the JamRockerz Basketball Classic, securing two crucial victories to become the only local team to advance to the semifinals. Their performance on Saturday not only solidified their place in the final four but also showcased the depth and talent within the team.

 In their first game of the day, Kingston faced Montego Bay in a thrilling double-overtime clash. The game ended in regulation time with the scores tied at 41, but Kingston managed to edge out Montego Bay with a final score of 46-44. Kingston’s standout player, Lebron Lewinson, was instrumental in the win, contributing 19 points and seven rebounds. Montego Bay’s Diare Patterson also had a solid game, scoring 10 points along with three rebounds and two steals.

 Kingston returned to the court later in the day to face Trelawny in another closely contested match. Despite trailing in the first half, Kingston staged a comeback to narrowly defeat Trelawny 56-53. Malik Edward led the scoring for Kingston with 16 points and five rebounds, while Trelawny’s Evire Hines put up a valiant effort with eight points and three steals.

 Trelawny had a tough day, losing both of their games. Earlier, they fell to Canada’s Hardwood Kings by a five-point margin, with the final score-line reading 50-45 in favor of Hardwood Kings. Trelawny’s Christian Handon had a standout performance with 17 points, one rebound, and two steals, while Hardwood Kings’ Elijah Deyon contributed 16 points and one rebound.

 Montego Bay also suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss to Hardwood Kings, with the game ending 53-52. Despite a dominant performance from Reike Brown, who scored 26 points and added two rebounds and a steal, Montego Bay fell just short. Hardwood Kings, bolstered by their consistent scoring, managed to hold on for the win.

 Montego Bay’s coach, Dave Black, reflected on his team’s near misses throughout the tournament. “We played against Team Takeover yesterday and we lost by two. I think all the games we lose by one or two. I think that last three minutes in the game where we need a little bit more focus from the players to just carry us over the line to a victory, but I think some of our young players, some of our 15 and also our 17 year old, I think they step up well playing some of those bigger guys,” Black said.

 With the semifinals set, Kingston will face Team International, while Team Takeover will battle Hardwood Kings. The winners of these matchups will advance to the final, where the inaugural JamRockerz Basketball Classic champion will be crowned.

 The event organizer and coach of Team Kingston expressed his satisfaction with the tournament's success, highlighting its significance for the development of youth basketball in Jamaica. “This has been an event that we have been working on for a while because we understood that in order to raise the level of basketball for the youths here in Jamaica we needed to encourage teams from North America, international teams to come and compete," he said. "We had several challenges with that over the years. Obviously infrastructure – we need a place to play that is cost-effective so this partnership with Montego Bay community college where we can put this floor – indoor wooden floor right here in the heart of the tourist district is huge because now teams are more likely to come because they can experience Jamaica on the tourist side.”

 He added, “I think outside of Team Takeover and Canada, I think all the games that play in the tournament so far are very competitive. I think the initiative has to continue in terms of playing real overseas teams locally and also local guys getting a chance to go overseas to play.”

 The JamRockerz Basketball Classic, sponsored by Jamaica's Tourism Enhancement Fund, NBA Houston Rockets pro player Tari Eason, and Kingston Marley—grandson of the legendary Bob Marley and founder of the Children for Change charity—has brought together top talent from both local and international teams, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the tournament.

 The inaugural JamRockerz Basketball Classic made a spectacular debut at the Montego Bay Community College on Friday, with intense competition and nail-biting finishes setting the tone for the three-day event. The tournament, featuring a mix of overseas and local teams, has quickly established itself as a must-watch event in the Jamaican basketball calendar.

The six-team tournament includes three overseas-based teams: Team Takeover from Maryland, DC, the Hardwood Kings from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy International, which is composed of P.H.A.S.E.1 members from both the United States and Canada. Representing Jamaica are P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy teams from Kingston, Montego Bay, and Trelawny, making for a diverse and competitive pool play event.

Friday's action kicked off with a closely contested battle between Hardwood Kings and P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy International, where the latter edged out a 67-65 victory. Dwain Cummings led the way for International with 21 points, eight rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Meanwhile, Hardwood Kings' Elijah Harriott made a valiant effort with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks.

In the second game, Team Takeover claimed a narrow 56-53 win over Montego Bay. Clausell was instrumental in Takeover’s success, contributing 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block. Montego Bay's Daire Patterson stood out with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks.

Team International returned to the court later in the day for a dominant 65-46 victory over Trelawny. Anthony Ingeton was the star performer, scoring 20 points, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out an assist, and recording two steals. Trelawny's Daniel Clarke put up a solid fight with 12 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a block.

The final game of the day saw Team Takeover overpower Kingston with a decisive 52-23 win. Takeover’s 6’8” forward Elijah Flowers led with 16 points and five rebounds, while Kingston’s 5’10” guard Lebron Lewison managed eight points and a steal.

Mark Francis, coach of P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy International, praised the high level of competition at the Classic. "The competition is very strong. We are first in our side of the bracket. The other side of the bracket, we definitely have to give respect to. They look very strong and we are looking forward to the semi-finals tomorrow and see if we can win this championship,” Francis remarked. He also noted the impressive skill level on display, highlighting the athleticism and speed of the players, which he believes is comparable to what is seen in Canada.

Wayne Dawkins, global director and coach for P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of events like the JamRockerz Basketball Classic for the growth and development of basketball in Jamaica. "With the incredible support of our partners, we’re confident that this event will put Jamaica on the map as a global destination for competitive youth basketball,” Dawkins said.

 As the JamRockerz Basketball Classic progresses, all eyes will be on the remaining matchups as teams battle for the coveted championship title. With strong performances from both local and international teams, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to this inaugural tournament.

P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy is pleased to announce the inaugural JamRockerz Basketball Classic which is scheduled to start at 9:30 this morning and run until Sunday, August 18, at the Montego Bay Community College.

The tournament will feature elite teams, including the #1 club program in the USA, Team Takeover from Maryland, DC, Hardwood Kings from Brampton, Onario, Canada, and P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy International which comprises P.H.A.S.E.1 members from the United States and Canada. Jamaica will be represented in this six-team pool play event by P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy Kingston JA, P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy Montego Bay JA, and P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy Trelawny, JA

 This highly anticipated youth basketball tournament is poised to become a premier season-ending event for top youth club teams from around the world, providing a unique blend of high-level competition and cultural experience in Jamaica’s prime tourist district.

 The event comes on the heels of a historic international travel season for P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy, which saw the club secure its first U17 Championship in Miami, FL, and a U19 tournament championship in Atlanta, GA. The JamRockerz Basketball Classic aims to build on this success and continue the momentum by offering a thrilling weekend of basketball and cultural exchange.

 "Competitions like the JamRockerz Basketball Classic are vital to the growth and development of basketball in Jamaica," said Wayne Dawkins, global director and coach for P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy. "With the incredible support of our partners, we’re confident that this event will put Jamaica on the map as a global destination for competitive youth basketball.

 Dave Black, the Jamaican director and coach for P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy, added, "We’ve worked hard to connect with some of the best youth clubs from around the world, and we’re excited to showcase the talents of this inaugural group here in Montego Bay."

 The JamRockerz Basketball Classic is made possible through the support of several key partners, including Jamaica's Tourism Enhancement Fund, which recognizes the tournament’s potential to boost local tourism by drawing international visitors to Montego Bay. NBA Houston Rockets pro player Tari Eason who will be in attendance to motivate the young athletes and present special gifts to the participants. Additionally, the event is supported by Kingston Marley, grandson of the legendary Bob Marley, and founder of the Children for Change charity. Kingston, who began his charity work at just 9 years old, now at 16, plays alongside his peers as a member of P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy Jamaica.

 Tickets for the JamRockerz Basketball Classic will be available at the door, priced at $500 for local students and $1,000 for local adults.

The New York Knicks will visit the Boston Celtics for the first game of the 2024-25 NBA season on October 22 after the schedule for the new campaign was confirmed.

The Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the NBA Finals to win their first championship since 2008 last season, their 18th crown taking them clear of the Los Angeles Lakers at the top of the all-time charts.

They will open the defence of their title against rivals New York, who finished second to Boston in the Eastern Conference in 2023-24.

The Knicks were plagued by injuries throughout the 2023-24 postseason and were beaten by the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals, but they have moved to strengthen during the offseason by adding Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

That game will form part of an opening-night double header, preceding the Minnesota Timberwolves' clash with the Los Angeles Lakers, as LeBron James enters his record-equalling 22nd NBA season.

The following day will feature Paul George's Philadelphia 76ers debut as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Los Angeles Clippers will welcome the Phoenix Suns to inaugurate their new home arena, the Intuit Dome.

Other standout fixtures for the season include Klay Thompson's reunion with the Golden State Warriors following his move to Dallas, which is set for November 12.

His Mavs debut could come against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, with the two Texas teams set to face off on October 24.

The 2024-25 All-Star Weekend will be staged in San Francisco from February 14 to February 16, with the regular season set to wrap up on April 13.

Jayson Tatum is not going to discount playing for the United States at the 2028 Olympics, despite limited minutes this time around.

Tatum, a star of the NBA last season with the all-conquering Boston Celtics, had to settle for a bench role at the Paris Games.

He played 11 minutes in Saturday's gold medal game as Team USA saw off hosts France to take the Olympic crown for a fifth straight time.

Tatum did not play at all in two of the USA's games – the group-stage and semi-final meetings with Nikola Jokic's Serbia.

But that does not necessarily mean he would not want to feature for Team USA at the Los Angeles Games in four years.

"It was a tough personal experience on the court, but I'm not going to make any decision off [of] emotions.

"If you asked me right now if I was going to play in 2028, it is four years from now and I [would have] to take time and think about that.

"So I'm not going to make any decision based off how this experience was or how I felt individually.

"A lot of people text me and reached out and said 'Make sure this fuels you,' which I appreciate. There's a lot of people that care about me.

"I think the tough part is yes, you can use things to fuel you, but I'm still human.

"I've sacrificed and put a lot into this game and work really, really hard. So in the moment it is tough. You're not necessarily worried about fuelling for November or [whenever] the [NBA] season is, but like I said, it's something I'm going to take away from this and learn from this experience.

"It's definitely challenging and humbling at the same time."

Success in the men's basketball was one of 40 golds Team USA scooped at the Paris Games, as they topped the medal table with 126 overall (44 silver, 42 bronze).

China placed second overall, matching Team USA's tally of golds but collecting just 27 silver and 24 bronze. 

France might have fallen short in the basketball but they enjoyed a brilliant Games overall to finish fifth.

Team USA claimed a record-extending eighth straight Olympic gold medal in women's basketball, seeing off France in a dramatic repeat of Saturday's men's final.

After watching LeBron James and company scoop gold by beating the hosts 98-87 in Saturday's gold-medal match, Cheryl Reeve's team took on the hosts in a rematch for the final gold available at the Paris Games.

It looked like they might be on the end of a monumental upset when they trailed by 10 points midway through the third quarter, with the hosts capitalising on a series of sloppy turnovers from the USA.

The USA rallied from there and had inched ahead by the start of the fourth quarter, only for two free throws from Marine Fauthoux to put France 53-51 up with five minutes to play.

It was American-born Gabby Williams who led France's charge in front of a buoyant home crowd, with the former WNBA first-round draft pick tallying 19 points and seven rebounds.

However, Team USA would find a second wind in an end-to-end finish, inching ahead for good when Kahleah Copper made two free throws with just five seconds on the clock.

France thought they had forced overtime at the death when Williams sank a terrific would-be 3-pointer, only for replays to show her foot was inside the arc, condemning the hosts to a 67-66 defeat in front of watching president Emmanuel Macron.

The United States' victory also ensured they topped the overall medal table for Paris 2024 – they matched China's haul of 40 golds but won 126 overall medals to China's 91, topping the tree for a fourth edition of the Games in a row.

Earlier on Sunday, Australia overcame Belgium 85-81 in the women's bronze-medal match, securing their first podium finish in the event since London 2012, when they beat Russia to finish third.

Stephen Curry says he feels "blessed" to have won his first Olympic gold medal after leading the United States to a 98-87 win over France on Saturday.

Curry shot 8-of-13 from 3-point range in a late masterclass as Team USA held off a late charge from France, sinking four of those after Victor Wembanyama had narrowed their lead to just three points.

It was the USA's fifth straight Olympic gold medal, though Curry's first as he shone on his debut at the Paris Games, and he is cherishing the victory.

"I've been blessed," Curry told NBC after the game. "This ranks very high in terms of the excitement and the sense of relief in getting to the finish line.

"I knew if I got to my spot [to make those late jumps] I could knock it down."

Wembanyama finished with a game-high 26 points for France, while Guerschon Yabusele also had 20, with 15 of those coming in the first half.

Despite falling just short in their late comeback, Wembanyama was in high spirits after claiming silver, though he already has his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

"I never dreamed of this moment," said Wembanyama. "It is incredible. I couldn't have asked for a better team, better coaches.

"The games were really high intensity, and we could have lost by 20 points, but we kept fighting. I will be going for gold in four years' time."

Steve Kerr described Stephen Curry as the difference after his 24-point haul helped Team USA claim Olympic gold with a 98-87 victory over France on Saturday.

Kerr's team held off a late charge from France to win their fifth straight Olympic gold, with Curry putting on a masterclass from 3-point range in the latter stages.

Curry shot 8-of-13 from 3-point range, sinking four of those efforts after Victor Wembanyama had dragged France within three points with three minutes remaining.

Despite working with Curry for 10 seasons in his role as Golden State Warriors coach, Kerr cannot get enough of watching the four-time NBA champion.

"Steph Curry ended up being the difference. The flurry at the end of the game was just incredible. Watching him never gets old," Kerr told Eurosport after the game.

"I want to give credit to France; they were amazing. It felt like we were going to break that game open but they just kept hanging in there.

"Congrats to France on the silver medal, it’s a great accomplishment.

"Winning a gold medal is a dream for any young athlete, so to be part of it is incredibly special, and I'm just thankful for the opportunity."

Wembanyama finished with a game-high 26 points for France, while Guerschon Yabusele also had 20 points, 15 of them coming in the first half. 

France head coach Vincent Collet said: "For sure, it's a disappointment, because we expected that we could do it but, in the end, we have to recognise they were better.

"This is the greatest moment of my career and, to do it in Paris, it is something special. We had a dream to make it happen but it was impossible, USA were too good."

Team USA claimed their fifth straight Olympic gold in men's basketball with a 98-87 victory over France in Saturday's final, with Stephen Curry starring with 24 points. 

Steve Kerr's star-studded United States side required a thrilling comeback to beat Nikola Jokic's Serbia in the semi-finals on Thursday, but a far better start put them on course for glory against the hosts in Saturday's gold-medal match.

The USA went into half-time with a nine-point lead thanks to some excellent early work from Devin Booker, though Guerschon Yabusele's 15 first-half points kept France in it, the highlight being a poster dunk on LeBron James.

France shot just 3-of-16 from field range through the first two quarters but got hot in the third quarter, outscoring the USA 25-23 to give themselves hope of a comeback.

Roared on by a vocal crowd at Bercy Arena – where Joel Embiid received plenty of jeers after rejecting the opportunity to represent France – the hosts made up more ground early in the fourth, thanks primarily to the efforts of Victor Wembanyama.

The NBA Rookie of the Year finished with a game-high 26 points – his first 20-point haul at the Paris Games – while also adding seven rebounds, dragging France to within three points with just under three minutes remaining. 

However, Curry took charge from there, quietening the crowd with a majestic 3-pointer, his fifth of the game, and adding a further three jumpers before the buzzer.

The Golden State Warriors star finished with 24 points and was 8-of-13 from 3-point range, having also produced an incredible 36-point performance in Thursday's win over Serbia.

A couple of Kevin Durant free throws and a Booker layup helped the USA stetch their lead in the dying stages, claiming a record-extending 17th Olympic gold in men's basketball.

France, meanwhile, had to settle for a third silver in men's basketball, having also been beaten finalists at London 1948 and Sydney 2000.

Nikola Jokic played a starring role as Serbia put their Olympic semifinal disappointment behind them to clinch the bronze medal with a 93-83 win over Germany.

Serbia gave up a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter against the United States on Thursday as they narrowly missed out on a place in the final, but they responded strongly to ensure they did not leave Paris empty-handed.

Jokic was dominant in that game, and he provided the spark once more on Saturday as he finished with a triple-double, getting 19 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

Vasilije Micic matched Jokic's tally of 19, while Bogan Bogdanovic, the program's all-time leading scorer, added 16.

After a promising start to the Olympics by Germany, they have trailed off in recent matches, and they struggled to match the early pace set by Serbia as they fell 30-21 behind in the first quarter.

Though they matched Serbia evenly in the second quarter, any hopes of getting their hands on their first Olympic basketball medal soon faded in the third, with the 19-point gap proving too much for them to turn over.

Serbia claimed their first medal in the Olympic event since earning silver in Rio 2016.

Joel Embiid is out to silence a hostile French crowd when Team USA face the hosts in the men's basketball gold medal match at the Paris Olympics on Saturday. 

Embiid, who was born in Cameroon but was granted US citizenship in 2022, declared for Team USA late last year after his home country failed to qualify. 

That decision came after he also sought French citizenship, amid suggestions president Emmanuel Macron had called the Philadelphia 76ers star to convince him to represent the hosts.

Embiid has been jeered by French fans throughout the basketball tournament, with the USA winning all five of their games to date, reaching the final with Thursday's comeback victory over Serbia.

On the eve of Saturday's gold medal match, Embiid said: "Frankly, I don't understand why I've gotten a lot of criticism from the crowd. 

"They're going to boo me. I'm going to go back at them and tell them to 'suck it.' It's going to be fun."

Reflecting on his decision to link up with LeBron James, Stephen Curry and company in representing the USA, Embiid said he would have played for Cameroon if they had qualified.

"Having lived half of my life in the US and the other half in my country, Cameroon, it just looked like it was, 'you could go two ways'," Embiid said. 

"I said from the beginning that if Cameroon would've qualified, that would never have been a choice. Then having the family [in the US] and having built a lot of things and having accomplished a lot of things, knowing the group of guys deeply, it just made it easy.

"I think a lot of people wanted to make it an issue because of the storyline and all that stuff.

"But to me it's whatever it takes to win gold. So that's what I'm focused on. It's all about Team USA against France."

Stephen Curry praised the United States' "no quit" attitude after proving the hero in their thrilling comeback victory over Serbia in the Olympics semi-final.

Serbia entered the fourth quarter of the game with a 13-point lead, but a stunning late comeback from the USA, who have won gold in each of the last four Olympics, instead saw them prevail 95-91.

Curry starred for Team USA, scoring 36 points, the second-highest scoring game by an individual in the team's Olympic history, and his two free throws in the dying seconds ensured Serbia were unable to force any more drama.

And Curry explained how the lure of a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal spurred them to avoid the shock defeat.

"We talked about it the whole way, all summer," he said. "No matter how it looked, we were going to be challenged at some point.

"Outside of the exhibition series we had a pretty smooth road. Serbia are tough. They're a great team.

"Playing them three times, it's always hard to beat a team that many times, so to come back the way we did was amazing.

"We have no quit, and we know how much this means to win a gold medal with this group and the moment we have in front of us.

"Obviously, I hit the big three, but our defence carried us. Defence wins games in any league, especially in FIBA, so it was pretty special."

Serbia at one point held a 17-point lead in the first half, with NBA MVP Nikola Jokic getting 17 points and 11 assists, though they floundered in the closing stages.

While Curry took most of the headlines, LeBron James made his mark too, tying the game at 84-84 with four minutes remaining.

He got 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to finish with a triple-double, becoming the first player ever to complete the feat twice at the Olympics.

He echoed Curry's sentiments on Serbia's strength, noting how that helped to get the best out of the USA.

"Give a lot of credit to Serbia," James said. "They gave us everything they had.

"It's a great team. They played exceptionally well. They tested us and we needed that."

The USA will face hosts France in the gold-medal match on Saturday.

The United States launched a thrilling comeback to reach the basketball gold medal match at the Paris Olympics with a 95-91 win over Serbia, as Stephen Curry starred with 36 points.

Team USA – who have won gold at the last four editions of the Olympics – looked set to miss out on Saturday's final when Serbia entered the fourth quarter with a 13-point lead.

NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 17 points and 11 assists for Serbia, who led by as many as 17 points at one stage in the first half.

Bogdan Bogdanovic had 20 points for Serbia while Aleksa Avramovic had 15, but Serbia were unable to hold on and avenge their 110-84 loss to the USA in the group stage.

Golden State Warriors star Curry carried the USA's offense for most of the game, though it was LeBron James' driving layup that tied the contest at 84-84 with under four minutes remaining.

The USA struggled defensively for long periods but finally began to put real pressure on Serbia late in the fourth quarter, and a missed 3-pointer from Ognjen Dobric with Serbia 86-84 up proved decisive.

Curry put the USA ahead with a 3-point jumper on a James assist with two minutes and 24 seconds left, then layups from both players stretched their lead as Serbia wilted. 

Twice Serbia drew within two points in the final minute, only for two Curry free throws to seal the USA's victory with eight seconds on the clock.

They will face hosts France – led by NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama – in Saturday's gold medal match, after Serbia face Germany for bronze.

James added 12 rebounds and 10 assists to his 16 points to finish with a triple-double, while USA team-mate Joel Embiid brought up 19 points.

Guerschon Yabusele starred for France as they confirmed their place in back-to-back Olympic gold medal matches in men's basketball, beating Germany 73-69 in an enthralling semi-final on Thursday. 

Yabusele, who plays his domestic basketball with Real Madrid in Spain, top scored with 17 points to lead the hosts, who were silver medallists in Tokyo three years ago, to another final.

Isaia Cordinier added 16 points to France's total, while San Antonio Spurs star and NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama had 11 points and seven rebounds.  

Dennis Schroder led for Germany with 18 points, with Fritz Wagner the only other player to reach double figures against the Olympic hosts. 

Germany's loss brought an end to their incredible recent run stretching back to last year's World Cup, having won 12 consecutive games in major international competitions.

France will now face either the United States or Serbia in Saturday's final, with LeBron James and company hoping to win Team USA's 17th gold in men's basketball.