PLAYER NEWS:
--G Brandon Roy said he declined an invitation to work out with the U.S. national team during a mini-camp in Las Vegas last month to rest his body for the NBA season. Roy said he would be interested in being a candidate for the U.S. team in the future. --F Nicolas Batum has been a star on a French national team preparing for the European Championships. Batum collected 20 points and eight rebounds and hit a game-clinching shot in an 80-77 victory Italy in a qualifying game on Aug. 5. Other members of the team include Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Mikael Pietrus and Ronny Turiaf. Before the Italy game, "Parker got hurt, and they kind of handed him the ball and said, 'Go get it done,' " said Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard, who said he planned to fly to Europe to watch the competition. "I'm getting reports like, 'You're not going to believe how well this kid is playing.'"
--Spain, with G Rudy Fernandez as one of its stars, has already qualified for the 16-team European Championships. Pritchard dispatched Blazers assistant coach Caleb Kanales and strength-conditioning coach Bobby Medina to Spain last month to work with Fernandez. "They said he is doing great," Pritchard said. "Rudy's a gym rat, but sometimes you need to get into the weight room, too. They said he has added a little weight, which is what we want."
--C Greg Oden had 10 rebounds in 23 minutes in a scrimmage during the Team USA mini-camp at Las Vegas last month, Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard said. "That's a ratio almost off the charts," Pritchard said. "More importantly, I liked his positive energy. He was looking like the Greg of old."
MEDICAL WATCH: No injuries to report.
DRAFT PICKS:
Victor Clavert, F, 6-9, Spain (first round) -- Blazers have no room on their 2009-10 roster for the 20-year-old prospect, who will remain playing professionally in Spain for at least another season.
Jeff Pendergraph, F, 6-9, Arizona State (second round) -- With Channing Frye leaving for Phoenix, Pendergraph could have excellent shot at making the club next season.
Dante Cunningham, F, 6-9, Villanova (second round) -- He'll get a shot to battle Pendergraph for a spot in the Blazers' roster.
Patty Mills, G, 6-0, St. Mary's (second round) -- Blazers expected him to go much higher than No. 55; could earn the No. 3 point guard position.
