DENVER (2016 Rio Olympics) - Harken back to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and remember the high-flying act that was Kenneth Faried.

Not one of the more celebrated United States players before the tournament, he certainly was among the most famous by the time he left Spain. In every game that the USA played, be it in Bilbao, Barcelona or Madrid, Faried had jaw-dropping plays that got the fans on their feet.

He relished the experience, too. Not only did he play alongside the best players from the USA, but against the best from other countries.

I like to learn by playing at any level. Playing in the NBA shows you that, but when you go play overseas, everybody is very competitive because they play against some of the best talents of the NBA. Also, you play against some great players who are not in the NBA, and you learn a different kind of basketball. In a competition like that, you compete against the elite and guys that want to represent their country at their best. That's a unique level of basketball, different from what we are used to in the NBA. - Faried

Faried played so well while helping the Americans reach the top of the podium that he earned a place in the All-Star Five with compatriot Kyrie Irving, Spain's Pau Gasol, France's Nicolas Batum and Serbia's Milos Teodosic.

So what has happened since for Faried, who is 26? The power forward is continuing to play for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Just as he has always done, Faried is making spectacular plays.

If he cruised to glory with the USA in 2014, wins are proving harder to come by in the NBA for Faried. With 21 victories and 32 defeats, the Nuggets are going to struggle to reach the post-season. Yet don't tell that to New Jersey native, who believes he and his teammates still have time to force their way into the top eight of the Western Conference. They are currently five and a half games behind eighth-place Houston.

"We are going to close the gap and make it to the playoffs," he promised. "We have a bit more than 20 games left; we need to push hard to try to reach a spot. We need to accept the challenge of playing every night with the goal of winning no matter what. We have the potential to do so, so we are going to fight and play the best way we can every game in order to reach a spot."

It's that sort of refuse-to-lose, resilient attitude that makes Faried a good bet to be in the USA squad that will compete at the Olympics this summer. USA Basketball announced 30 finalists and only 12 players will make the team.

It's 100% a goal for me. I want to go to Rio, I 100% believe I can play and I will, I just need to be patient and hoping that things will sort themselves out. - Faried

Faried knows all about the Olympics. He's watched his compatriots take part in the Opening Ceremony and has heard about the Olympic Village. Faried has also seen the Americans win big games, including a couple of exciting Finals against Spain in 2008 and 2012.

So when asked by FIBA.com if he has been dreaming of having a gold medal hung around his neck this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he answered in the affirmative.

"Absolutely," he said. "That would be awesome. I want to be there, win a gold medal and enjoy a great experience in an amazing country. I believe I am able to make the team and get a second gold medal, but an Olympic one this time.

FIBA