PANAMA (Centrobasket) - Panamanian forward Michael Hicks has two certainties: one is that he will retire from the national team after the 2016 Centrobasket Championship, which begins on Sunday. The other one is that he wants to do it after capturing the title of the regional tournament.

I will give everything I have once again and in front of the Panamanian people so they can see me representing my country one last time with pride and dignity. Then we will have to make room for the new generation." - Hicks

Close to his 40 years, the Panamanian forward had already announced his retirement at the end of the last FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico. But as he explained, he changed his mind, and this Centrobasket will mark his last championship with the Panamanian National Team.

"I face this last experience as I have done it every time I have to wear the Panamanian jersey, because I know what it means to wear it and for many years I have done it with pride. I had decided not to use it anymore after the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, but I decided to wear it again, because the Centrobaasket is in my country. I will give everything I have once again and in front of the Panamanian people so they can see me representing my country one last time with pride and dignity. Then we will have to make room for the new generation. The new players should continue to represent the country, as I did for many years," said Hicks.

Panama is full of excitement with the dispute of the 25th edition of the Centrobasket. The host, who were fifth at the last edition of the championship, hope to fight for the title in this edition of the contest.

"There are very high expectations, because the country has not staged the Centrobasket in ten years. The new national federation administration is doing a good job to have a wonderful tournament and we can win the championship, as we did in 2006 in front of our people," quoted Hicks.

The host always carries greater responsibilities and the Panamanian player acknowledged that, although he also appreciated that a good performance would be a big boost for Panamanian basketball.

"Clearly we feel that responsibility, because every team that organizes a tournament of this magnitude always aspires to win. But the positive side is that if we succeed, it would help grow the popularity of basketball in our country," said the forward.

For various reasons the Panamanian National Team will be without important players like Trevor Gaskins (injured), Gyno Pomare (personal problems), or Jamaal Levy, who finished playing the Argentinian National League very close to the competition.

"They are extremely important for the team and not having them in the Centrobasket will be a sensitive loss for us. But we must accept it. Surely not having them hurt us a lot, because they are players with great experience and know the game perfectly. However, we must face this situation and keep playing our game," said Hicks.

Panama's national team began a new process, led by Spanish coach Joaquín Ruiz Llorente and the Centrobasket in Panama City will mark his debut with the team.

"The contribution from the Spaniard coach is good, because we are working with rotations without the ball, as in years ago we were very static. We won in attack mobility, with many cuts and drives. Panama will play a totally different style to what is accustomed from us, with more control and in tactical order," said the player, who this season played in the Uruguayan National League with Defensor Sporting

After participating at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, Panama seemed to start on the path of a renewal of its team, with the departures from men like Ruben Garces, Tonito Garcia and Danilo Pinnock.

"The change that is happening is very positive, because very talented young players are being developed. That's what Panamanian Basketball," concluded Hicks.

FIBA