CARACAS (2016 Rio Olympics) - Ask any fan of Venezuelan basketball about the player that hit big shot after big shot in the national team's FIBA Americas Championship triumph last year and the response will include the name Heissler Guillent. The point guard, appearing in the event for the third time, had the best tournament of his career.

The 29-year-old averaged 8.1 points per contest, with his most memorable performance coming in the nerve-jangling, 79-78 victory over Canada in the Semi-Finals, a win that punched the Vinotinto's ticket to the Rio de Janeiro Games.

For the fourth time in the competition in Mexico City, Guillent drilled multiple shots from behind the arc. He finished four of nine from long range and was vital in the team's upset of Jay Triano's team.

Guillent suffered a partial tear of his Achilles tendon at the start of the year and had surgery shortly after, on 22 January. The good news is that he is recovering and on course to play at the Olympics, something he has revealed on instagram. He has plenty of time to make it back with the Olympics not tipping off until 6 August. 

I thank God that I am improving every day. I want to publicly thank everyone who has helped me in this process, and I feel much better and am working hard every day to keep progressing. I am very happy to be returning slowly my activities. I will be back soon. - Guillent

Venezuela are to play at the Olympics for the first time since 1992, when they competed at the Barcelona Games. The side coached by Nestor 'Che' Garcia will play in Group A with Australia, China, the United States and two sides that win FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).

The six-team OQTs will be staged in Belgrade and Turin 4-9 July, and in Manila 5-10 July.

FIBA