SAN JUAN (FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017) - Omar Gonzalez took over the Puerto Rican youth national teams late last year and is hoping to build up the country's program as head coach at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017.

The last time Puerto Rico appeared on the U19 world stage was 2009 when the generation featured Michael Rosario. Gonzalez thinks the current generation of Puerto Ricans will learn valuable lessons in Cairo from July 1-9 which could help them reach and replenish the current senior national team.

"We think that our senior team is getting a little old on us, so the transition of players is very important at this time. The young players have to be prepared for such a transition," said Gonzalez, who became men's youth technical director last October. "It means a lot. Being the director of the youth program is extremely demanding. We think we can improve our world ranking, and one of our challenges is to improve the future of basketball for our country."

"We think that our senior team is getting a little old on us, so the transition of players is very important at this time. The young players have to be prepared for such a transition."GonzalezGonzalez

The Caribbean nation is currently 17th in the Nike FIBA world rankings after the 2016 Olympics. But the men's youth teams rank 18th having not made the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup since 2009 and playing at one of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cups.

"Exposing the kids to such high level of competition is very helpful for them and the program," said Gonzalez, whose team will face hosts Egypt and European powers Lithuania and Germany in Group B in Cairo. "Looking to the future, they need to gain this type of experience to help their growth in the game. And last but not least, it will help the our federation to improve our world rankings."

Gonzalez said one of the keys to his efforts as U19 coach and youth teams technical director is to help give the country's players the tools to succeed - in the long term also for the senior national team.

"Exposing the kids to such high level of competition is very helpful for them and the program. Looking to the future, they need to gain this type of experience to help their growth in the game. And last but not least, it will help the our federation to improve our world rankings."GonzalezGonzalez

"The players have to be understand all aspects of the game , defensively and offensively. As well to be able to execute them in a responsible and consistent way," Gonzalez said. "We also need to spend more time with the kids to be able to prepare them well enough for the future of basketball in our country."

Gonzalez has loads of experience coaching at major competitions, leading Puerto Rico at three FIBA AmeriCup Women events and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Women 2012 and serving as an assistant coach at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016 Serbia.

"That experience helps me a whole lot. To be able to understand the process of FIBA tournaments is extremely important," said Gonzalez, who guided the country to the Semi-Finals at FIBA AmeriCup Women 2013.

"By understanding the system and environment I can transmit all my knowledge to the kids so they don't get surprised in any details of the tournament. I also can prepare them for the level of competition they are going to face in Cairo."

Opponents Gonzalez hopes his youngsters will face off again later at the senior level.

FIBA