GEORGE CLOONEY - OSCARS AFFECT CLOONEY'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Oscar nominee GEORGE CLOONEY has joked that his appearance at the Academy Awards next month (05MAR06) will depend on his basketball commitments.

The Hollywood heart-throb is tipped for success in the Best Supporting Actor category for SYRIANA, as well as receiving nods for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, which is up for six gongs in total at the star-studded ceremony.

But laid-back Clooney jested he'd only pencil the date in his diary if it fits into his weekend sporting regime.

He said, "What day is it on? Is it a Sunday? If it's on a Sunday, I can play basketball, cause Sunday's basketball day. Yeah, then I can play basketball.

"What time does it start? It starts early. Five o'clock? So, you've got to get there earlier, you've got to leave at 3:30 cause there'll be a long line. Play ball at noon. I can make it. I can still make it there."