BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Basketball World Cup/2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Carlos Delfino has provided plenty of special moments for the fans of his basketball teams during his career.

A 2.00m small forward, Delfino helped Argentina capture a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and then four years later in Beijing, he provided plenty of inspiration in their run to the bronze.

A gifted scorer, the Santa Fe-born star has shone on the big stage of the Euroleague and the NBA.

He is a player that once went up against one of best in the game in the NBA playoffs, USA's Kevin Durant, and lived to tell the tale.

All one needs to do is look back at his career both with his clubs and Argentina to know that he is the sort of talent that doesn't come along very often.

It was in May of 2013, those same playoffs when Delfino had his memorable dunk on Durant, that he hurt his foot, an injury that has kept him off the court ever since.

Delfino had surgery and signed with Milwaukee, with the expectation that he would make it back.

He required a second operation, though, and has had to sit by and watch the Bucks with a mixture of frustration and sadness.

Delfino wasn't able to help Argentina, either, missing both the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship and the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

His main priority now is to get back to full fitness and impress  Hernandez enough during the national team training camp that the play-caller decides to include him in the squad for the FIBA Americas Championship in Monterrey, Mexico, a tournament that will run from 25 August to 6 September.

Hernandez decided earlier this year to come back and serve Argentina as head coach for a second spell.

"When I spoke to Sergio," Delfino said in an interview with TYC Sports, "he said the doors would be open for me to train.

"But there are people that are doing very important things and killing themselves to earn a place in the [national] squad."

I don’t want to be given a gift but I told him that I would kill myself to earn a [Argentina] spot - Delfino

Much has happened with Argentina's national team since Delfino last played for it at the London Games.

Luis Scola's importance has grown even more to the team.

Youngsters have also started to find their way into the national side that was coached the past few summers by Julio Lamas.

There are more questions than answers when it comes to the prospects of Argentina's basketball team.

It was good enough to progress from the Group Phase at the World Cup, but Brazil then beat Lamas and Co in the Round of 16.

"If they open the doors for me to have a chance, I will fight for a place," Delfino said.

"My aim each day that goes by is to be available for Sergio.

Delfino says he chose to be patient in recent months concerning the date of his return to the court instead of making a decision he might later regret.

There are clubs that have been interested in adding him for their post-season runs.

"I got calls back in February from a number of teams in Argentina, NBA and Europe," he said.

"I was tempted to compete somewhere in a play-offs but it would have meant rushing back. 

To not have a team takes the pressure off because I don’t have to return at a given time - Delfino

"My aim is to be in good condition in July.

"I'm ahead in that respect. I am calm and I don't feel pain.

"I prefer to be calm, arrive to the national team and then I will see what happens.

"It's my aim, which I spoke to Sergio [Hernandez] about when he called me to speak about my current situation.

"I told him I'm thinking about national team. I want to be with the national team.

"My last game was against Russia in London and I left with a bitter taste."

Russia defeated Argentina in the Bronze Medal Game in London.

"My wish is to wear that jersey again and celebrate," Delfino said.

Argentina will take on Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Venezuela in Group B of the FIBA Americas Championship.

The sides that reach the Final will qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while the teams that come in third, fourth and fifth will reach the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

"It [Mexico 2015] will fall around that time [when Delfino should be fit] and it’s a jersey that I love wearing," he said.

FIBA