Gasol to play in Eurobasket

From a story on Reuters: Pau Gasol and Ricky Rubio were included in the Spain squad today for the 2009 European Championship (Eurobasket) in Poland. Gasol has just helped the Lakers win the NBA championship, while 18-year-old Rubio hopes to join him in the United States next season if he can negotiate a release from his contract with his Spanish club team. Rubio was selected fifth in the draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves last week. Spain coach Sergio Scariolo brought in Carlos Cabezas for injured Toronto Raptors guard Jose Manuel Calderon, and Victor Claver for retired captain Carlos Jimenez. World champion Spain was the runner-up to Russia in the last Eurobasket final in Madrid two years ago. This year’s tournament is in Poland from Sept. 7-20.