Former NBA assistant coach Tom Newell wants to raise the level of the game -- by raising the basket.

A test game will be played Saturday at the University of Washington. Instead of the usual 10-foot height, the rim will be placed at 11 feet.

Newell hopes the higher basket will promote more passing and teamwork, while reducing three-point shots and dunks.

"Most people are unaware of the origins of the 10-foot hoop," Newell said in the Seattle Post Intelligence. "The reason why (James) Naismith put the first peach baskets at 10 feet is because that's how high the overhang in the gym he first played the game was. If it were at 11 feet, that's how high they would have been. It was totally arbitrary."

Newell told the paper that he hopes his game can be a springboard to better basketball. He said that too many players rely on natural ability and he hopes a move to higher rims would force players to practice more on basic skills.

"No one practices anymore," Newell said. "They play way too many games and don't get a chance to work on fundamentals. This would force them to get back in the gym and practice."

This weekend's "exposition game" will have in four 12-minute quarters with a 30-second shot clock. He said that the three-point line and lane will be college dimensions and players will be allowed six personal fouls each.

The paper reported that the first half will be played with man-to-man defense, the second half with zone. The players will not be allowed to dunk and their three-point shots will only count in the fourth quarter.

His Web site, Family Sports Life Today, organized the event.

The Cleveland Cavaliers might have wanted a taller rim in their series with the San Antonio Spurs. Last night, the Spurs swept their way to a fourth NBA title, by beating the Cavs 83-to-82.