1. EuroBasket 2007

How did the NBA’s premier international players gear up for the upcoming NBA training camp, now less than two weeks away? Participate in the EuroBasket tourney. Twenty four NBA players highlighted by NBA and Finals MVP winners --- Dirk Nowitzki and Tony Parker --- proudly represented their countries and a shot for a berth in the 2008 Summer Olympics. But it was Russia’s Andrei Kirilenko and his NBA colleague Viktor Khyrapa who stole the show and a spot in Beijing. Kirilenko earned tourney MVP honors as Russia advanced to the semifinals and then did the unthinkable, shocking the heavily favored Spain, which featured five NBA players, inMadrid. It was Russia’s first European title in 22 years (they last won one as the Soviet Union). Head coach David Blatt called the gold-medal victory the “ultimate moment in the history of the Russian nation.” Who are we to argue?

2. U.S. Reclaims Gold

How long does it take to forget about a bronze medal letdown in Sapporo? Try 12 days and what a gratifying 12 days it was for the U.S. Men’s Senior National team in Vegas, burning through opponents by an average of 39.2 points per game and earning a berth in the ’08 Olympics. The U.S. team found its identity, featuring nine new players from a year ago, riding the shoulders of Kobe, LeBron and Carmelo. Whoever thought that a silver lining existed out of the ’06 disappointment. “Had we won last year, we would not have been as prepared for next year,” said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the U.S. squad.
Video: FIBA Americas highlights

3. Tony Parker

The hottest international player recently resurfaced after joining exclusive company winning Finals MVP honors in June and then grabbing the ultimate prize a few weeks later when he married Eva Longoria (season premiere of Desperate Housewives Sept. 30 on ABC). He also tore it up in the Euro Basket tourney, you didn't think the Global 10 would debut without a scant mention of this celebrity couple, did you?

4. Yi's Bucks Era Officially Begins

So, it took an overseas trip to finally get the deal signed but the reward was great, not only did Bucks' owner Senator Herb Kohl and GM Larry Harris earn valuable frequent flyer miles on their round trip from Milwaukee to Hong Kong (17,600 miles to be exact) but they have their top pick signed well before the start of training camp (Oct. 1). And it wasn't as if Yi was on the couch watching reruns of Laverne and Shirley until the deal got done, he was quite active in the offseason, having participated in the Vegas Summer League (remember his game winner vs. Cavs?) and then with the Chinese National team, where he averaged 23 points and 8 rebounds in a recent tournament.
Video: Press conference
Video: Bucks signing

5. Luis Scola

No Manu, no problem, especially when Luis Scola is your go-to guy. Argentina’s center-forward, who is Houston bound next month, made some noise and raised some eyebrows in FIBA Americas, taking home tourney MVP honors after averaging 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. Quite a remarkable feat, considering the U.S.’s dominant run highlighted by its own two deserving candidates, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. How happy are you, Rocket fans?

6. Luol Deng's Red Hot Offseason

He sizzled in the postseason and his offseason isn’t any different. Think Luol Deng isn’t serious about ’07-08? Check out this workout footage. When he isn’t carrying Great Britain (and its 2012 Olympic b-ball hopes), he’s taking time out to instruct youngsters at the recent Basketball Without Borders camp in Paris. At a mere 22 years of age, this guy is as untouchable as anyone in the NBA right now.
Video: Deng 5 Star
Video: Luol NBA Fit

7. Belinelli = "Sensational"

The no. 18th overall pick of the ’07 Draft, Belinelli (with Bell-LEE-nell-ee) greeted the Las Vegas Summer League competition with 37 points and never looked back. And with head coach Don Nelson as a Vegas witness ("I think he's been sensational.”), look for the Italian import to challenge Monta Ellis come October for significant minutes at the two guard spot now that Jason Richardson is wearing the orange and blue in Charlotte.
Video: Belinelli summer highlights
Video: Top 10 summer league

8. Basketball Without Borders

Shanghai. Paris. Sao Paolo. Not on this train? That’s too bad because players such as Tony Parker, Dikembe Mutombo, Luol Deng, Leandro Barbosa are and the last stop for ’07 in Johannesburg, South Africa. NBA players have spent their offseason traveling to all corners of the globe -- three continents to be exact --using basketball to influence positive social change. Check it out.
Video: Asia recap
Video: Europe recap

9. Yao and Nash's Good Cause

So, what are your first thoughts after winning by 23 points? How about helping underprivileged Chinese children who can't afford schooling? Welcome to the beautiful mind of Steve Nash who approached Yao Ming in the U.S. Airways Center tunnel after the Suns' March 12th win against the Rockets. Next thing you know, Nash, Yao and a roster of NBA players including the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Baron Davis along with Yi Jianlian (among others) are competing in an exhibition game at Capital Steel Stadium in Beijing on September 14.
Video: Yao workout
Video: Top Nash plays

10. USA Basketball: Photo History

MJ and Magic joshing around on the couch. Scottie Pippen and David Robinson hanging out. Grant Hill sparring with baddest man in the world, former heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali ….NBA Photos dug out these gems and (many) more taking you on a journey of NBA players competing internationally through the years ….
Photos: Gallery 2 | Gallery 3