US team plans to play in world championships in Turkey, but will monitor world events

US plans to be in Turkey, but will monitor events

LOS ANGELES — USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo says the United States plans to play in the world championships in Turkey, but will watch to see if events in that part of the world force a change.

Relations between Turkey and Israel were strained after nine people were killed Monday when Israeli commandos stormed a six-ship flotilla in international waters. About 700 activists — including 400 Turks — were trying to break the Israeli and Egyptian naval blockade of Gaza.

The U.S. team is scheduled to play in Istanbul at the tournament that begins Aug. 28. Colangelo tells The Associated Press that the Americans plan to be there, but “if something happens that really would change our position, then we’d have to do what we have to do.”