SAO JOSE DOS PINHAIS (Brazil) - The FIBA Youth Development Program has become a life-changing to two 17-year-olds from Brazil.

Marcio Santos and Guilherme Carvalho Santos not only currently rank as some of the South American country's rising stars but they have effectively convinced Aleksandar Petrovic that they have a future with Brazil men's national team.

"MARCIO AND GUILHERME HAVE BEEN CALLED UP TO LEARN FROM THE SENIOR TEAM. THEY NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS EXPERIENCE TO DEVELOP THEIR GAME."- Aleksandar Petrovic

Back in December 2018, Marcio and Guilherme were part of the first ever Youth Development Program Elite Camp in Campinas, Brazil.

And they didn't stop there.

Fast forward to February 2020, and both players have been named in Brazil's preliminary squad for this weekend FIBA AmeriCup 2021 Qualifiers, where Brazil will host Uruguay on Friday, February 21, in Sao Jose dos Pinhais before facing the same opponent in Montevideo, Uruguay on Sunday.

The FIBA Youth Development Program seek to develop Elite Young Players in the Americas with a view to have these participants elevating the quality of their National Teams by the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and the Paris Olympic Games 2024.

But for Marcio, who powered Brazil to the title of the South American U17 Championship 2019 after defeating Argentina in the final in December 2019 and was named the tournament MVP, things are moving fast.

"It's been a pleasant surprise [to be called up to represent Brazil men's team]. It's a dream come true. Now, all I have to do is to turn this dream into a reality. I'll keep working hard every day, and I hope to make the most of this opportunity," Marcio Santos said to Brazil Basketball Confederation (CBB) website. 

The FIBA Youth Development Program also aims to establish a process for tracking and monitoring young talent in their evolution and progression in the Americas Region.

Speaking of their selection to the men's team, Guilherme noted that Petrovic has taken notice of their potential. "We have to give our all and show him that we can help the team. It's not too early [to be part of the senior team]. For me, it's the right time," Guilherme stated.  

Meanwhile, Petrovic, who attended the FIBA Youth Development Program in Campinas in 2018, explained that Marcio and Guilherme have been called up to learn from the senior team. "They need to take advantage of this experience to develop their game. These are two talented players and I believe they represent the future of Brazilian basketball," he said.

FIBA