From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: Olympic hopes still alive for Koufos
The American-born Koufos holds dual U.S.-Greek citizenship, but the 19-year-old chose to play for the Jazz's entry in the Rocky Mountain Revue NBA summer league rather than for Greece in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens.
Greece beat the Puerto Rican team of ex-Jazz point guard Carlos Arroyo 88-63 in a FIBA semifinal game Saturday, earning a berth at next month's Summer Games in Beijing. Croatia beat Germany 76-70 despite a 30-point, 13-rebound showing from Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki in the other semi and qualified as well.
Puerto Rico, which according to an Associated Press report lost Orlando Magic free agent Arroyo to a torn leg muscle, will play Germany today for the last Olympic invite.
Koufos probably won't learn until sometime later this week if he'll be added to Greece's Olympic roster, though he has consistently said since the Jazz selected him out of Ohio State with the 23rd overall pick in last June's NBA Draft that the possibility remains open.
On one hand, he's widely regarded as Greece's best big man.
"They're a great team," Koufos who had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, but shot just 3-of-11 from the field, in Saturday's Revue loss to Atlanta said of Greece's now Olympic-bound national squad. "I'm happy for them. I wish the best for them right now, and I know they'll make a great run in the Olympics.
"Right now my focus is on the Utah Jazz," he added Saturday.
"I'm not thinking about Greece right now. But Greece has been a wonderful opportunity for me."
Tomic, meanwhile, didn't play for Croatia's entry in the qualifier at least in part, it's believed, because he went to New York to prepare for last month's draft rather than remain with the national team. But indications Saturday were that it's still possible Croatia will add the 7-foot-1 center to its roster now that it is Olympic-qualified.
Utah has no plans to bring Tomic to the NBA next season, incidentally, and officials from his KK Zagreb club in Croatia reportedly said in the draft's immediate aftermath that it wants to keep him under contract for two more years.
He's not playing in the Revue. The Jazz already have three Olympians: Team USA teammates Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, and Russian star Andrei Kirilenko.
Comments
- Jackson's sister blames doctor 2:17 p.m.
- Jackson doctor avoids jail 2:17 p.m.
- Red Cross sells pieces of history 2:16 p.m.
- Plain says she prays for Levi 2:15 p.m.
- Uninsured more likely to die in E.R. 2:14 p.m.
- 'Idol' winner Allen remains humble 2:14 p.m.
- New Leona Lewis CD echos growth 2:13 p.m.
- Gas prices remain near 2009 high 2:09 p.m.
- 2 stranded hikers rescued 2:00 p.m.
- Groups file suit to stop mine 1:50 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
216 - Will state consider gay rights law?
156 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
131 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
112 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
93
This sums up the Cougars this year for me: They are a Jekyll and Hyde...
Starting defensive end Derrick Shelby, a sophomore, will miss the rest...
Wow, I am curious if you actually believe what your saying or if your just a...
"The Fact is, they were Progressive, Against the Status Quo,...
"Jacob Baker" 1:39 p.m...........Wow, you must not have heard of too many...
Thank you anonymous for finally putting my thoughts into words. All of you...
This was the decent thing to do. Thank you for sparing Elizabeth and her...
I repeat where is your evidence? empty rhetoric is not going to cut it.
Is someone having a little too much "oregano" on the all-natural brownies?
The UTES get spanked by TCU, drop below BYU in the polls, and yet they're...
I enjoy the outdoors. I'm in my late 40s and in better shape than most men...
Utah goes to the Las Vegas bowl on off years, BYU goes there on good years.


You can be the first to comment on this story.