Basketball On The Internet.

THE form of Perth Wildcats’ 2013-14 MVP James Ennis at the NBA’s Summer League in Orlando should have NBL clubs rubbing their hands with glee.

Ennis, the first NBA draftee to spend a year in our league instead of playing in the D-League, Europe or Asia, is ripping it up for Miami Heat in Orlando.

Today he was absolutely blistering as the Heat trounced Brooklyn Nets 110-91, scoring 29 points at 83 per cent.

That explosion included 7-of-8 threes plus a trademark Ennis slam.

In Miami’s earlier 77-85 loss to Boston Celtics, Ennis still led the way with 18 points, including 2-of-2 threes and eight rebounds.

While Ennis won’t be back in Oz on the basis of how well he is travelling, on the basis of how well he is travelling after a season in Oz should have NBL coaches and GMs furiously working all their NBA contacts.

You know, with the line: “Look what a season in our NBL has done for James? The same is possible for your guy with us here at the (Wildcats, 36ers, Tigers, Kings, Hawks, Breakers, Taipans – fill in the appropriate nickname).”

Not sure why the league isn’t all over it too.

Love or hate Ennis – depending on your NBL team affiliation or location – the better he does in any NBA-sanctioned environment, the better it looks for our league.

As we speak, his mother furiously is polishing the All Star Five Trophy he sent home even before he landed back in Perth from the NBL Awards night in Melbourne.

Kiwi centre Steve Adams also is in action for OKC in Orlando.

Frankly, the sooner the Thunder dump Kendrick “Watch me Scowl” Perkins and get more minutes for Adams, the sooner they will be heading back into contention.

AUSTRALIA closed the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in the Czech Republic on a high, crushing Canada 69-39 to take fifth place.

The Sapphires laid the foundation with a 14-5 first quarter and dominated the boards 50-32, Anneli Maley with a game-high rebounds.

Maley also scored 10 points at 67 per cent, Maddison Rocci also with 10 at 80 per cent, plus seven boards, four assists and two steals.

Tahlia Tupaea had a game-high six assists.

Australian assistant coach, Canadian-born Lori Chizik, had no problem with where her allegiance lies, today posting: “Well we just beat Canada by 30 to end up 5th in the World Championship.

“It has been an amazing journey with wonderful people. The girls played their hearts out and represented Australia with pride.

“The staff of Simon Pritchard, Peta Sinclair, Rosanne Molloy, Viran De Silva and (head coach) Chris Lucas were an absolute pleasure to work with, so many good laughs.

“Can't wait for my next adventure with the Opals.”

The Opals currently are in camp in Terrigal this week.

Despite Spain’s Angela Salvadores going off for 40 points in the Gold Medal game – to subsequently be named tournament MVP – the USA escaped with a 77-75 victory in the final.

Hungary – apparently Al Westover’s back-up back-up team behind Australia and the US {sorry, that's in-joke for those who know Al} – took the Bronze with a tough win over the host nation.

CALL it a coincidence if you like but the Aussie-loaded Phoenix Mercury today beat the LA Sparks in Los Angeles for their seventh straight win – a franchise record – since Penny Taylor rejoined the starting lineup on June 15.

It was Taylor’s neat dish which gave Brittney Griner a slam dunk before the Mercury rose over LA 94-89 at Staples Center.

Taylor hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:18 left to give Phoenix a 90-89 lead.

After recovering the ball off a Sparks turnover, Diana Taurasi stuck a three with eight seconds to play, guaranteeing the Mercury’s longest win streak since August, 2006.

It also is the longest streak in the WNBA this season.

Taurasi had a season-high 32 points, and like Ennis in Orlando, stuck seven triples.

Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello, didn't call a late timeout, raising some eyebrows.

“We know what we needed to run,” she said.

“Diana made a big play. She's a great player. That's what they do.”

Taylor had 17 points, Candice Dupree and Brittney Griner 15 each, and DeWanna Bonner had 11 with eight rebounds.

“What a GAME!!! What a WIN!!! What a TEAM!!! @PhoenixMercury #ChasingGlory,” Erin Phillips tweeted post-win, the Opals world champion with two assists, two points and a steal in 13 minutes.

REG Biddings, who in 1981 set the NBL’s 40-minute game scoring record with 63 for Forestville Eagles, is recovering at home on the Gold Coast after a road accident last week.

“Sir Reg” was a passenger in a three-car crash at Eton and it took almost an hour for paramedics to manoeuvre him out of the vehicle.

Biddings suffered neck and back pain and soft tissue injuries but was released from hospital on Tuesday evening.

“I am very thankful for the attention of all staff at the Mackay Base Hospital and emergency crews at the scene, and feel very lucky today,” he said.

SHANE Heal’s Wellington Saints – the very club making some NBL overtures – won the NZ NBL on Saturday, winning the Final 85-69 over the IMS Payroll Hawks.

The Championship was Heal’s first as a coach, his lineup including several players well known in Australia such as Corey Webster, BJ Anthony and Lindsay Tait.

Everard Bartlett led the Hawks with 23 points.

“1st championship as a coach! Thanks to my players... Such good guys that bought into everything. Much appreciated for support and belief,” Heal tweeted after the success.