RIO DE JANEIRO (Brazil) - Brazil will rely on a squad primarily of leading players in the domestic league in next month's FIBA AmeriCup Qualifying games against Panama and Paraguay in Buenos Aires.

Point guard Yago Mateus, who represented the country at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, up-and-coming stars Jhonatan Luz and Lucas Dias and former Toronto Raptor Lucas Bebe are among the 16 players named.

Yago and Jhontan Luz are on the books of Flamengo, Lucas Dias plays for SESI Franca and Lucas Bebe suits up for Fortaleza Basquete Cearense.

"We chose to call this time athletes that play in Brazil, with the exception of Caio Pacheco, who is already in Argentina, where we will play," Brazil coach Aleksandar Petrovic said.

"We did this to avoid unnecessary risks for players in the NBA or Europe, avoiding long trips. For this reason, and just for that reason, this list includes those who play in Brazil and who, I am sure, are fully capable of bringing us two victories against Panama and Paraguay."

Caio Pacheco is on the books of Argentinian club Bahia Basket. 

In February, Brazil opened with two victories over Uruguay, winning at home, 83-72, and then in Montevideo, 83-76, after overtime.

In that first triumph, Rafa Mineiro had 13 points and 11 rebounds. He, too, is on the list of players for the games against Panama and Paraguay.

Rafa Mineiro excelled for Brazil against Uruguay in February

Brazil square off against Panama in Buenos Aires on November 27 and then meet Paraguay on November 28. The top three sides from each of the four groups will qualify for the AmeriCup.

Taking into account health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the Group A games are being played in Buenos Aires in a "bubble" format that allows for a more controlled and secured environment for teams to compete.

FIBA