MALAGA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Jaime Fernandez could hardly have imagined putting on the Spain shirt a year ago. Breaking into the Spain team, the No. 2 side in the world, was about as tough as it comes.

Spain have had one of the most talented rosters in international basketball for more than a decade.

Yet the 25-year-old guard has been one of just three players to appear in all eight of his country's European Qualifiers for next year's World Cup in China, and in the process become one of the team's most important members.

Fernandez has averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 21 minutes per game - the latter ranking him third most among players who have made at least five appearances. 

With Spain boasting so many point guards and having several involved in the Qualifiers, he's played off the ball and done well, too, whether it's meant hitting the open jump shot or coming up with plays on defense to trigger fast breaks. He's looked cool, calm and collected when on the floor.

"I feel the coach (Sergio Scariolo) trusts me and I always try to respond with work and humility, trying to add things to my teammates," said the 6ft 0in (1.84m) playmaker.

Luis Guil, an assistant coach with Spain's national team, raved about Fernandez.

"He's a player that can create an advantage, when he has the ball in his hands, for himself and his teammates," he said.

On the pick-and-roll, Guil said Fernandez will drill a 3-pointer, score on a pull-up, make a layup or make a pass inside or out. He thrives in transition and has gotten better defending the pick-and-roll, and in one-on-one situations.

Fernandez played for his country's youth teams as far back as 2009, when he was the second leading scorer and top assist man in their title-winning side at the U16 European Championship in Kaunas. He had 20 points in both the Semi-Final win over Serbia and the championship win over hosts Lithuania. That same year, Spain captured their first EuroBasket crown in Poland with Pau Gasol scooping the MVP award.

Fernandez also won the title at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2011 and helped Spain finish third at the FIBA U20 European Championship in 2012 and 2013.

The Madrid-born player did not make his Spain senior national team debut until last year in a friendly.

In the World Cup Qualifiers, he has been indispensable, and enhanced his reputation in the process. The performances helped the former Andorra guard receive a contract this season with Unicaja Malaga, one of the leading sides in the Spain's Liga Endesa, and he has quickly grown into a leader.

"Coming to the national team is something different than playing with my club," he said. "It’s special. I'm living and playing with an amazing group of players. We want to keep working, growing and winning games for Spain. I’m willing to do everything for this team."

“I’M REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH THE HEAD COACH AND THE WINDOWS.”- Jaime Fernandez

One of the real pluses in the European Qualifiers for Spain is that Scariolo has used 25 players. With players like Juan Carlos Navarro, Felipe Reyes and Jose Calderon having retired the past couple of years and other veterans no doubt sure to follow in the not-to-distant future, the increased player pool will pay dividends.

"The fact that the list has grown is very important for your basketball," Fernandez said. "We have more players who have gotten the chance to come to the national team, and this is great for the credibility of the team and the system. The big players always deserved to be here but we do, too, as we showed with our play and results."

While it remains to be seen is Fernandez will be selected to play at the World Cup in China once, if expected, Spain qualify, Scariolo will have no doubt that his qualities make him a solid option. He's quick, agile and under control. Fernandez will, when Spain run a play, feel comfortable hitting a step-back 3-pointer or putting the ball on the deck and going to the basket. He will also make the extra pass when needed.

"I know it’ll be hard to be in the World Cup," he said. "I'm just looking at myself being there as a dream. It’s really tough, but you never know."

As far as he is concerned, Fernandez has already achieved much more for the national team than he expected.

"I did not see myself in the national team years ago and I already have some international games under my belt," he said. "So, I'll try harder, and keep working and working to help my team and friends.

"I cannot think about things I’m not able to control. Whoever has to make the decision will decide."

Fernandez has already made a huge step from last year. Maybe another step will come in the final two windows and one of Spain’s most-used players during the Qualifiers will end up at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

FIBA