SANTO DOMINGO (Centrobasket U17 Championship 2017) - Carlos Carela is looking forward to following in the footsteps of his Dominican Republic idol Kelvin Pena and would love to win a title at the Centrobasket U17 Championship 2017 in front of the home fans.

Carela will be making his international debut at the tournament in Santo Domingo, where the home team Dominican Republic are drawn into Group B with Jamaica, Panama and Virgin Islands.

"I'm looking forward to being part of this team. We have a good chance to win gold in our country in front of our fans," Carela said. "The objective is to win gold and represent the Dominican Republic in the best way."

Carela began playing basketball at 10 years old in Puerto Plata, learning the game from his uncle Miguel Ortiz and practicing at the club 12 de Octubre.

When the tournament tips off, Carela will also be thinking about current Dominican international Kelvin Pena.

"Kelvin Pena was my idol in Dominican Republic. He played in the national team and now is a great opportunity to follow in his footsteps," Carela said.

The top three teams at the Centrobasket U17 Championship 2017 will book their tickets for the FIBA U18 Americas 2018. The Dominicans have qualified for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup qualifiers the last two times. After failing to reach the U19 global spectacle from the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2012, the Dominicans did advance to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2015 - the country's first appearance in the tournament since 1983.

The Dominicans played at FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2015 - their first appearance in the tournament since 1983.

"It is very important to have a good world ranking and have the honor to qualify for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup qualifier," Carela said. "It's an honor to be able to qualify for that type of event."

When asked what Dominican Republic must do to be successful at the Centrobasket U17 Championship 2017, Carela said: "We have to play together like a team and play as one. We must share the ball and put our personal egos to the side. We have to play for our nation and in front of our fans the best way we can."

Carela also said he has a goal for himself at the tournament.

"I have to be the best defensive player on the team. My defense has to create the tempo for us," Carela said.

That is something both his uncle Ortiz and idol Pena can be proud of - not to mention the home Dominican Republic fans.

FIBA