Gasol, Rubio and Hernangomez brothers joined by numerous Qualifiers' heroes in Spain's final 12-man roster
MADRID (Spain) - Spain head coach Sergio Scariolo has made his last cuts and has announced the final 12 individuals who will carry the country's flag at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.
The experienced playcaller made the difficult decision to cut both Jaime Fernandez and Ilimane Diop from Spain's pool as they gear up for their final stretch of preparations for the biggest event in international basketball.
| Spain 12-man Roster for the FIBA World Cup 2019 | |||
| Javi Beiran | Víctor Claver | Quino Colom | Rudy Fernandez |
| Marc Gasol | Juancho Hernangomez | Willy Hernangomez | Sergio Llull |
| Pierre Oriola | Xavi Rabaseda | Pau Ribas | Ricky Rubio |
Headlining the roster is NBA champion Marc Gasol, who will see action in his fourth World Cup. The star center, now 34, first took part in the showpiece event way back in 2006, with Spain lifting the trophy in Japan.
Other big names on the Spain roster include Ricky Rubio of the Phoenix Suns and the Hernangomez brothers - Willy and Juancho. This will be Rubio's third World Cup appearance, while the Hernangomez siblings will make their World Cup debut in China.
Seasoned World Cup veterans Victor Claver, Segio Llull and Rudy Fernandez are also back in tow for Spain, while shooting guard Pau Ribas returns to the national team for the first time since Eurobasket 2015.
Among the most interesting names on Spain's final list are players who carried the country in the European Qualifiers. Chief among them is spitfire floor general Quino Colom, who saw action in every Qualifiers game for Spain, leading the squad in both scoring (13.7 points per game) and assists (4.8 assists per game).
Named to the team alongside Colom is Iberostar Tenerife standout Javier Beiran, who was a rock-solid wingman threat for Spain in the Qualifiers thanks mainly to his deadly outside shooting.
Not to be outdone, the forward pairing of Pierre Oriola and Xavi Rabaseda are also in the mix. Oriola is remembered for his strong 15-point, 12-rebound performance against Latvia in the Qualifiers, while Rabaseda should provide the same tenacious defense he did in five Qualifiers matches for Spain.
Spain are set to begin their World Cup campaign in the Guangzhou-based Group C for the First Round of the Group Phase, crossing paths with the likes of Angola, Italy, Philippines and Serbia int he Second Round were they to qualify further.
FIBA
