NEW YORK — Twenty-two NBA teams, including 11 that appeared in the 2010 NBA Playoffs, will compete in this year’s NBA Summer League. For the second consecutive year, a team of NBA Development League Select players will also participate in the action taking place at the Thomas & Mack Center and the COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Marketing partners included in the event are adidas, EA SPORTS, Gatorade and T-Mobile.

A 58-game schedule of action will tip off on Friday, July 9, with four games scheduled at COX Pavilion. Teams slated for action on opening day include the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets and Phoenix Suns.

“While the NBA Summer League continues to grow, its core mission remains the same: allowing NBA teams to evaluate young talent and free agents, giving rookies the chance to get acclimated to the NBA and providing veterans a chance to fine-tune their games,” said Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President of NBA Basketball Operations. (more…)

NEW YORK — Tickets for the 2010 NBA Summer League, the league’s summer showcase in Las Vegas, will go on sale June 1, at 10 a.m. PDT. Marketing partners included in the event are EA SPORTS, Gatorade and T-Mobile.

Fans will be able to purchase tickets to see 23 teams including 22 NBA teams (11 that appeared in the 2010 NBA Playoffs), and a team of NBA D-League stars, compete in the hottest summer event by calling 702-739-FANS, through UNLVtickets.com or by visiting any UNLV ticket outlet. Games will take place at the Thomas & Mack Center and the COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas July 9-18, 2010 (more…)

HallPass Media is excited to announce the launch of the new online home of top WTA tennis player Victoria Azarenka  www.vikaazarenkatennis.com . In partnership with BEST, HallPass created the new digital home as part of its growing portfolio and continued digital media and branded content platform.

The new site will highlight “VIKA” around the world and on the court. VIKA fans can interact through her dedicated social media channels and receive updates on performances, schedules, photos, videos and her personal interests. Upcoming additions include VIKAS VOYAGES, a GPS tracker to showcase her favorite cities, shopping, and dining around the globe. The site also offers a seamless storefront for all of the latest VIKA apparel . “I’m really excited about the site and hope my fans enjoy and engage.” Said Azarenka.

Round one of the adidas Nations US tour tipped off April 12, as 19 underclassmen competed at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando Florida. The camp was the initial introduction to Nations for players n the class of 2012 and 2013.

Highlighted by several front court players, the campers participated in 3 training sessions and scrimmages focusing on fundamentals, and competitive principals. Some performances of note were turned in by 6’9” Wannah Bail of Sugarland, TX, Hanner Perea of Indiana (via Columbia) , Shabazz Muhammad of Las Vegas, NV, Stokes of Memphis, TV and Savon Goodman from Philadelphia, PA. Some of those in attendance will represent the adidas Nations USA 2012 in the Nations Championships August 6-9 in Chicago, IL. (more…)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Back when the Thunder were 3-29 last season, the notion of the playoffs coming to Oklahoma City any time soon was unimaginable.

But it was that same miserable stretch that made general manager Sam Presti confident that coach Scott Brooks was the right man to lead his team into the future.

While Oklahoma City struggled to the worst start in the NBA, Presti was impressed by the way Brooks stayed the course and never tried to force immediate changes in hopes of making the Thunder better. He has now taken the youngest roster in the league and turned the team into a 50-game winner and a playoff team just one season after the horrendous start.

For that best-in-the NBA turnaround, Brooks was recognized Wednesday as the NBA’s coach of the year. He received 71 of 123 first-place votes and 480 points to finish ahead of Milwaukee’s Scott Skiles (26 first-place votes, 313 points) and Portland’s Nate McMillan (9, 107).

“He’s someone that I think is incredibly consistent as a person. He is unaffected through adversities and also through successes, and I think that’s an important quality we want to have as we move forward,” Presti said. (more…)