Nets to Hold Open Practice in Russia

The Nets are flying across the pond to meet up with all of their new Russian friends. From the NY Times: “Mikhail D. Prokhorov and the Nets are wasting little time in doing their part to solidify a relationship between the N.B.A. and Russia. With the N.B.A. set to announce the opening of an office in Moscow on Thursday, the day that the United States plays Russia in the quarterfinals of the FIBA world championships in Istanbul, the Nets have made plans for a brief stopover in the Russian capital before heading to China for two exhibition games next month. Although their full Russian itinerary is not finished, the Nets plan to hold an open practice and a basketball clinic for 3,000 children. Basketball is the third-most popular team sport in the country, behind ice hockey and soccer. Prokhorov, a Russian and the first businessman from outside the United States to own an N.B.A. team, expressed interest in establishing a link between the Nets and Russia before he bought a majority stake in the organization in May. The Nets’ visit and the new N.B.A. office are part of the league’s efforts to expand its international profile.”