MADRID (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Jose Manuel Calderon has made the most of the opportunities that have come his way as a basketball player.

The 32-year-old point guard competed for several years at the elite level on the old continent, in Spain's top flight and the Euroleague, before moving to the NBA in 2005.

He has also played a lot for his country.

In his Spanish national team career, Calderon has stood on the podium at the biggest and most important tournaments.

In 2006, he helped Spain to their greatest achievement, a title triumph at the FIBA World Championship in Japan, while in 2011 Calderon was a big contributor for the national side in Lithuania when it won a second consecutive EuroBasket.

Calderon's finest individual display was at EuroBasket 2007 when he made 19 of his 38 (50 percent) shots from the arc and averaged 12.3 points.

He probably would have been named EuroBasket MVP had Russia not upset Spain, 60-59, in the Final.

As it was, he had to settle for a spot on the all-tournament team.

If playing at home helps Calderon take his game to a higher level as it seemed to seven years ago, then Spain will have a big weapon in the 1.91m playmaker when they run onto the court in Granada to take on France, Serbia, Brazil, Iran and Egypt in World Cup Group A.

He can't wait for the fun to start.

"There is no bigger motivation than to win a World Cup at home," he said.

Calderon, who was just traded by Dallas to New York, is in fine fettle.

He is coming off a season in which he was both healthy and productive for a Mavericks team that reached the Western Conference Playoffs.

"I've been really excellent this year and I'm happy because of that," he said.

"I only missed one game for a knock I had on my ankle and for which I couldn't play the next day.

"I'm really happy. I'm as fit as I've been before."

Calderon can't say how many more major tournaments he will have with Spain.

He first appeared with the senior side at the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis.

"This will be my last World Cup and after that, I will make a decision (on whether or not to continue)," he said.

FIBA