Barea, Holland and Davis heading to Puerto Rico's 24-man training camp
SAN JUAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Puerto Rico head coach Eddie Casiano will have a strong selection of players to call on for the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers, including J.J. Barea, John Holland and Tyler Davis.
The trio have been nominated for Casiano’s 24-man preliminary squad for Puerto Rico's training camp, which will begin on June 21 ahead of the country's two home games against Cuba on June 28 and versus Mexico on July 1.
None of Barea, Holland or Davis played in the first two windows, in which the Puerto Ricans went 2-2 with wins at Cuba and Mexico and two losses against the United States. In all, 11 of the 24 players nominated for the training camp did not participate in one of the first two windows.
| Puerto Rico 24-man squad for training camp ahead of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers | |||
| Angel Alamo | JJ Barea | Gary Browne | Gian Clavell |
| Gilberto Clavell | Ramon Clemente | Tyler Davis | Guillermo Diaz |
| Jorge Brian Diaz | Alexander Franklin | Christopher Gaston | Javier Gonzalez |
| John Holland | David Huertas | Carlos Lopez | Javier Mojica |
| Christopher Ortiz | Juan Ramon Rivas | Carlos Rivera | Angel Rodriguez |
| Michael Rosario | Ricardo Sanchez | Angel Vassallo | Kevin Young |
"These 24 players will have the opportunity to play for Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico, something that has not happened since 2013," Puerto Rican federation president Yum Ramos said. "They will live that experience of feeling the love and energy that only happens in the Coliseo Roberto Clemente. Having that possibility of being in that scenario, will be a privilege for everyone."
Casiano said he is excited about some of the Puerto Rican domestic players being included in the training camp squad.
"We have added some players who have had an excellent start in our National League, understanding that they are already prepared to represent Puerto Rico," the coach said.
The FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016 was the last time J.J. Barea played for Puerto Rico
Barea will be back in the mix for Puerto Rico for the first time since the FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016. The 33-year-old Dallas Mavericks playmaker would love to lead Puerto Rico to the 2019 World Cup, which would be the third World Cup appearance of his illustrious career. But first is the huge honor of playing two World Cup Qualifiers at home.
"Two games in Puerto Rico, in the Roberto Clemente, doesn't happen that much and it may not happen again, so I have to take advantage of it and enjoy it to the fullest," Barea said. "I think we have a good group. So we're going to prepare very well to represent Puerto Rico. Especially here in this basketball house, where I have not played for a while, and two important games."
John Holland at the FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016
Holland, who plays with the Cleveland Cavaliers, also last played for Puerto Rico at the 2016 OQT after having played in two FIBA AmeriCups.
Tyler Davis playing for Puerto Rico at the FIBA AmeriCup 2017
The 21-year-old Davis, who is leaving Texas A&M a year early to declare for the 2018 NBA Draft, would be playing a second time for Puerto Rico after averaging 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks at the FIBA AmeriCup 2017.
FIBA
