LUANDA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The revamp of Angola's men's national team has become a regular subject in recent months as a group of talented players emerge with enormous quality.

Angola won AfroBasket 2013 in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, with a team that included six players aged 30 or older, but by the time they begin their preparations for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, some new faces are likely to feature for them.

The team's captain, Carlos Almeida, who retired from the national team after their latest continental success, says it is inevitable to talk about the future of Angolan basketball without mentioning the likes of Gildo (Hermenegildo dos Santos), Valdelicio Joaquim, Edmir Lucas and Yanick Moreira.

At the age of 23, Gildo was Angola's youngster in Abidjan.

Even though he got limited playing time in Abidjan - and averaging two points per game - it hasn't stopped him from dreaming with a chance at Spain 2014.

The 1.90m point guard feels privileged to be in the position he is in right now, but he also insists that he can't rest on his laurels because Angola is full of players like him waiting for their chance to come.

"Contemplating the possibility of competing against players I only see on TV is something that makes me work harder every day," Gildo told FIBA.com.

One of the players he refers to is his inspiration, Spain playmaker Sergio Rodriguez.

Angola will feature in FIBA's flagship event for the fourth consecutive time, and Gildo - who represented the country at the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship in New Zealand - acknowledges he has some homework to do, but hopes "to become a solid player and leader on floor in two years time."

Almeida believes the Luanda native can do that and more.

"Gildo is talented and he can maximise his potential because of his willingness to learn. In two years time he surely will be a solid leader in the national team," he said.

In July, Angola head coach Paulo Macedo had to cut rising stars Lucas, Edson Ndoniema and Islando Manuel, but kept Gildo in the squad.

Macedo says Gildo is a coachable player with a great progression margin and no one should doubt his quality as a point guard.

"As his coach at (Angolan club Primeiro) D'Agosto and with the national team, I believe his time will arrive sooner rather than later, but he should improve the physical aspect of his game," he said.

FIBA