Judge to Hear Players’ Suit Next Week

HOUSTON —  A judge on Wednesday scheduled a hearing for next Wednesday on a lawsuit by NBA players Nick Van Exel of Denver, Marcus Camby of New York and Reggie Slater of Toronto, who want to be cleared to play basketball in Europe.

The lawsuit was before state District Judge David Medina of Houston on Wednesday. He said he’ll decide after the hearing next week if an injunction should be issued to force USA Basketball to give clearance to the three players.

American players cannot play overseas without clearance from USA Basketball. The lawsuit alleges that USA Basketball is conspiring with the NBA to keep the players from going overseas.

The players said time is of the essence since European teams do not permit players to be added to the playoff roster after Dec. 31.

NBA teams have had a lockout of players in effect for months. Half the season has been canceled, and NBA Commissioner David Stern said Wednesday he’ll recommend the entire season be scrubbed if there’s no agreement with players by a “drop-dead” date of Jan. 7.

Agent James Bryant represents the three players, all of whom have one year left on their contract.

“It gives our players the opportunity to have a judge look at this impartially and give them a chance to play in Europe if the NBA season fails, which it looks like . . . now.”

Craig Miller, a spokesman for USA Basketball, said the organization has no interest in whether the players go to Europe.

“We are just trying to fulfill our requirements, making sure the proper organization is involved. In this case, it’s up to FIBA [basketball’s international governing body] and the NBA to make the decision because of their existing contracts,” Miller said.