on and doesnt have one with him, but plans to don a rugby jersey in support when he returns.But with or without it, Ill be watching and cheeri

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Beyond the rehab, Andrew Bogut would need to clear one final hurdle to play in the Olympics.Mark Cuban, his new boss.Cuban has been opposed to NBA players competing in the Olympics, but the Dallas Mavericks owner gave Bogut the clearance he needed to play for Australia after injuring his left knee in the NBA Finals.And Cuban is pulling for his new center, who scored 18 points to lead the Aussies to an 87-66 victory over France on Saturday in the opening game of the tournament.We obviously were nervous and Im still not a fan of NBA players in the Olympics, but Andrew was going to have to go through a process to get back on the court anyway, Cuban wrote Sunday in an email to The Associated Press. Our staff has communicated with him and we knew he would be cautious in his approach to returning.Bogut sustained bone bruises in Game 5 while playing for Golden State. Players need a release from their NBA teams to compete internationally if they have a pre-existing injury, and Bogut said he was a little worried he might not get it from the Mavs, who acquired him last month in a trade.But he said Cuban and the team have been first class in their dealings with him.They were very, very nervous obviously because my prognosis was six to eight weeks and this is right on six weeks right now, but I was open with them and honest, Bogut said. I said, `Look, if I know Im not ready and the knees swelling up, Im pulling the pin. And they said fine, we trust you.Bogut said he even received an email from Cuban before the Olympic opener.I told him make sure he has his green and gold jersey on watching the game and he threw a couple of other words I cant repeat and said lets go, Bogut said. So its been a good relationship by email so far.Cuban is on a family vacation and doesnt have one with him, but plans to don a rugby jersey in support when he returns.But with or without it, Ill be watching and cheering him on, Cuban said.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney Will Barton Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Malik Beasley Jersey . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. http://www.nuggetsproshop.com/Alex-English-Nuggets-Jersey/ . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. Jamal Murray Nuggets Jersey . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. Nikola Jokic Jersey . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Sam Billings, the Kent and England wicketkeeper-batsman, has signed to play for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League in Australia next month. He is available for the group stage, although he is expected to miss the later stages of the tournament because of a clash with Englands ODI tour to India in January.Billings will join England teammate Jason Roy in a squad that also includes a former Kent team-mate in Doug Bollinger, the veteran Australian pace bowler.Billings said: Its a great competition and to get the opportunity to play in it is fantastic. I spent six months in Sydney in 2013 and it was a very good experience and great for my game.Sydney Sixers head coach Greg Shiipperd said Billings flexibility was an attraction.dddddddddddd Sam is a crucial addition to our ranks given the selection for Australia of Nic Maddinson and the possibility of other Australian selections.Recent international performances have whetted our appetite that his explosive and creative style of batting will nicely suit our line-up. Sam can bat anywhere in the order and we like that flexibility in our players. Also his fielding is highly rated both as a keeper or outfielder.Nottinghamshires Michael Lumb is also part of the Sixers squad. ' ' '