FORMOSA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - This Argentine national basketball team has no hashtags. The glorious past of la #GeneraciónDorada (the Golden Generation) is already in the historic archives, and only Luis Scola remains active. The nickname #ElAlma (the Spirit), which tried to renovate the team’s image at some moment, is not publicized anymore. Here and now, we're before the presence of the Argentine team. A team that does not live anymore on the medals it has achieved, but on what their new — and not so new — assets are accomplishing.

It's in this context that a player stands out in the leadership: Facundo Campazzo. This little giant has had the bravery to challenge the limits and break every barrier that has been set in front of him. Since his beginnings in the National League he has developed an imposition of a more vertiginous style for the Argentine national team, as well as his capacity of standing out in Europe, an improvement in his physicality, the technical and tactical abilities he was lacking, and an objective of always going for more. “I'm very demanding with my game, I'm always finding errors or details to improve, and that's what keeps me growing,” explained Campazzo after two brilliant performances that resulted in victories against Mexico and Puerto Rico, bringing the Argentines closer to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China. “I'm happy with my performance in this window, I was able to help the team. If we concentrate on the details, I should have less losses and more control, but I'm like that; impulsive. I go with the games’ flow. My game is at the disposition of whatever the national team requests,” Facundo analyzes.

The performance that Campazzo showcases is superb. Coach Sergio Hernández shares his opinion: “He's Real Madrid’s point guard, so it's not about the level I see him, but the level in which the world sees him. When you're the point guard of Real Madrid and you play 20, 25 minutes in a position that's so determining and of the responsibility of that of the point guard, it's because you're already a player that's one of the best in the world.” And “Oveja” recalls the start of the Córdoba native in the team: “Facundo has been an influence on this team since he was little. I once heard Pepe Sánchez say, in 2015, that Campazzo had been the player that had the bravery to challenge the exiting Golden Generation and show the way to the new generation. It could go wrong or right, but generally he does right. I don’t remember many games that we have lost against Campazzo. There have been few losses and all of them have been fighting until the very end. Without a doubt, this has a lot to do with the fact that Facundo is in the team.”

Against Puerto Rico, Campazzo had to face José Juan Barea, the great Boricua star of recent years. “His story is similar to mine. First at the Puerto Rico Superior National Basketball League (BSN, for its Spanish acronym) and even in the NBA, they always put limits on me, I didn’t really have a roof, and I went on to surpass them,” said the Dallas Mavericks point guard. And he analyzes his recent rival: “Each year that goes by and I have to face Campazzo, I see him doing better. He's worked on his body, he feels confident, and you see that in his face when you face him. Besides, he has a very good relationship with his coach, and that's very important.”

It’s clear that Campazzo dazzles the public with his talent, his rivals respect him, and his coach trusts him. He is cause for praise among his team mates. Luca Vildoza has moved with pleasure to the position of guard to share minutes with Campazzo, and comments: “He's the leading figure of this team. He’s on a tremendous level and he’s the one who guides us. His present is marvelous, and I feel proud of playing at his side. I feel comfortable when we share the court. He manages the games’ rhythm and takes responsibilities away from me.” Luis Scola, captain of the national team, values the point guard’s contributions: “Facu is very important and stands out in a team that doesn't depend on him. That makes us less unpredictable and gives us more possibilities. He played a great game against Mexico.” Marcos Delía, for his part, adds: “Campazzo has an impressive level, but that doesn't surprise me. I know how he takes care of himself, how he trains to get there. Alongside Luis, he’s a leader both in and out of the court.” The other Argentine point guard, Nicolás Laprovittola, commented: “He's impossible. Let's hope this isn't his best moment. We have to enjoy him. He has a vertical and risky style that he does very well. We have to use to our advantage the fact that he plays for our team.”

Campazzo has more and more influence on his team mates. His professionalism marks the way. And his voice of authority inside the court resounds deeply. “At the point guard position, you must be a leader. I take many decisions from that fundamental position for the team,” Facundo assures.

In the following qualifying games — United States and Mexico as locals, and Puerto Rico and the United States as visitors — Campazzo will surely be one of the most notable absentees from Argentina: “I don’t want to say I won’t be here, although I can't confirm either that I will be. My wish is to be able to be present. I’ll make an effort to be back, but it won’t be easy.” Without Campazzo, Argentina will miss their leader. But he knows that he’ll be ready when it's time for him to come back.

Pablo Cormick
FIBA