NEW YORK -- Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon has been chosen as the NBA Ambassador to Africa by the league. Stitched USA Soccer Jerseys . The native of Nigeria will work closely with the NBA Africa office in Johannesburg and have a prominent role in the development of basketball on the continent through various events and activities. Olajuwon was the first pick in the 1984 draft and led the Houston Rockets to two NBA titles. He was a 12-time All-Star and the 1994 MVP. Amadou Gallo Fall, the NBAs vice-president for development in Africa, says Wednesday in a statement that the league is elated that "one of the greatest to ever play the game, a son of Africa, and a legend of Hakeems stature will officially represent the NBA in Africa." More than 30 players from Africa have played in the NBA since 1984. USA Soccer Jerseys China . - Connor Brown and Dane Fox both scored in regulation and in the shootout, as the Erie Otters extended their win streak to 10 games by defeating the London Knights 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. USA Soccer Gear . Then youve got to worry about the other up and coming teams in the two weaker divisions in the "Junior Circuit". https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . Got Jacks? Pulling off a comeback for the ages, feisty Stephen F. Austin became the latest No. 12 seed to pull off an upset, tying the game on Desmond Haymons did-that-just-happen four-point play with 3.TORONTO - Kyle Lowry jokingly grumbled at DeMar DeRozan in the post-game locker-room, blaming his teammate for the horde of reporters that was crowding their lockers.The crowd was waiting to speak to DeRozan, whos locker is beside Lowrys. DeRozan apologized for his point guards behaviour, saying — through with a wide grin — Were like a married couple.In truth, Lowry and the Raptors were breathing a huge sigh of relief Wednesday night after DeRozan made a sparkling return from his 21-game injury layoff, scoring a team-high 20 points in a 100-84 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.Yeah, definitely (it felt good), just to play with my guys, honestly, DeRozan said. Just get back out there with them. Its been tough sitting out this many games, just watching. It felt good to get back out there.With his tiny daughter Diar watching from courtside, dressed in a Raptors jersey with Mini DeRozan across the back, the Raptors all-star received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 19,800 at the Air Canada Centre when announced in the starting lineup. There were more cheers when he scored his first points in nearly two months just under two minutes into the game, on a fadeaway jump shot that was classic DeRozan.When asked if DeRozan brings a sense of much-needed calm to the team, coach Dwane Casey replied, saying You think?And not only that, he makes great decisions, Casey continued. When things get helter-skelter, when we call a play, one of the plays weve been running for a while or whatever it is, theres a calmness about him.The ball is secure, he makes great decisions, it allows Kyle to space out and spot up. . .Lou (Williams), whoever it is. He can quarterback as well as score.Williams finished with 19 points for Toronto (26-12), while Lowry had 18 points and 12 assists. Jonas Valanciunas added 12 points, while Amir Johnson finished with 10.But the night belonged to DeRozan, who had been sidelined since he tore his groin tending driving hard to the basket on Nov. 28 versus Dallas. The Raptors initially managed well without him, winning 11 of their first 15 games. But they had dropped five of their previous six before Wednesday, falling from first place in the Eastern Conference to third. And looming Friday: the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks.Yes it was great to have DeMar back, Im happy, were all excited, he looked good, Lowry said. Very comfortable (with him). Get some guys some open shots, take some attention off me, and its always good when you get your all-star back, a guy who can get 20 points on 14 shots in such an efficient way.DeRozan would shoot 9-for-14 overall in 29 miinutes of floor time on a night that saw Toronto lead the entire game, and enjoy a 16-point advantage before halftime. Custom USA Soccer Jerseys. Philly made a run to come to within two points just before the halftime break, but it was virtually all-Raptors the rest of the way.They led 71-61 heading into the fourth quarter, then a bucket by DeRozan followed up by back-to-back three-pointers from Lowry stretched Torontos advantage to 96-78 with 3:16 to play. That put the game out of reach.The aim was to play it safe with DeRozan in his return, by managing his minutes. DeRozan admitted there was a set amount of minutes he was permitted to be on the floor, and then when asked if he blew by that mark, Lowry interjected from his locker next door: Yup!Because once Im out there I want to play, said DeRozan, whod missed just 11 games total over his previous five seasons in the NBA. I just wanted to see how I feel. Get that first one under my belt and go from there.DeRozan also had four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. He showed a lot of patience, Williams said of DeRozans return. He was poised. He took whatever was given to him. He didnt rush a lot of shots. He played well.DeRozan, who returned to practice just over a week ago, said his goal going into the much-anticipated night was to stay level-headed and treat it like a normal game.I didnt want to get too high on it. I understood I still had to come out here and play, he said. I didnt want to go out there and try to do too much. Just played within the rhythm of the game.He said his conditioning was better than he expected.I thought I was going to be out there huffing and puffing but I felt good, he said. The Raptors outshot their visitors 46 per cent to 39 per cent, and won the battle of the boards 49-45.Michael Carter-Williams scored 29 points to top the Sixers (7-31).We have a lot of respect for this program, Philly coach Brett Brown said of Toronto. We feel we can learn from Toronto in our pursuit of rebuilding a program in Philadelphia.DeRozan led the way with his six points in the first quarter, as the Raptors raced out to a 13-0 lead. Williams drained a three at the buzzer to send Toronto into the second quarter with a 34-19 lead.A dunk by Tyler Hansbrough gave the Raptors a 16-point lead midway through the second, but the Sixers went on a 21-7 run, capped by a driving dunk from Carter-Williams, to cut Torontos advantage to just two points with 1:11 to play. The Raptors led 50-46 at halftime.A three-pointer by Williams that put Toronto up by 13 points punctuated a third quarter that saw the Raptors outscore Philly 21-15. ' ' '