MADRID (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - With Yanick Moreira opting to pull out of the Angolan team for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Belgrade, a number of newcomers are emerging and looking to earn their chances with the senior team.

While Gerson Domingos looks to be a solid and strong option at the guard position, Silvio De Sousa continues to increase the likelihood of filling the Angolans' front-court for the OQT.

In Tuesday's 85-72 defeat to Mexico in Madrid, De Sousa started and responded by having a 9-point efficient rate - the third-highest on the team. The 17-year-old power forward, who plays for the Monteverde Academy in Florida, ranked behind team leading scorer Carlos Morais and Reggie Moore who combined for 25 points.

De Sousa is not new to international basketball. After leading the Angolans in scoring at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, the 2.04m forward has never hidden his dream of wanting to represent his country at the highest level.

If he can do well enough during Angola’s training camp in Madrid, he should be able to help Angola go up against Belgrade OQT Group A opponents Serbia and Puerto Rico in the race to clinch a spot at the Rio 2016 Games.

The Angolans last played at the Olympics in 2008.  

The winners of the Belgrade OQT will qualify for the Olympics.

FIBA