Kaman moves closer to Beijing

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers moved a step closer to the Beijing Games earlier today as the German men’s basketball team beat Brazil, 78-65. The win moved Germany -- and Kaman, who earlier this month received his German passport -- into the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic basketball qualifying tournament, which is playing out in Athens.

If Germany wins one more game, either in the semifinals against Croatia, or in the third-place game should it lose to Croatia, it will advance to Beijing.

Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-high 20 points, and is the tournament’s scoring leader with a 23.7 point average after three games.

Kaman scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. “I’m just excited to be here,” Kaman told Associated Press. “Now we are one win away from the Olympics.”

Germany plays Croatia on Saturday, while Puerto Rico goes against Greece. The winners will meet on Sunday for the championship.