Reyes, teammates ready to make own mark in Argentinian basketball

RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018) - The last podium finish for Argentina at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship dates back to 2008. Lucas Reyes and his 2000-born generation is ready to change that this summer at St. Catherines.

The main player to develop into a star from that 2008 title winning  Argentinian team was Nicolas Laprovittola, who played at the Olympic's Men's Basketball Tournament 2016, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and two FIBA AmeriCups.

"It's very difficult in the Americas, but it's not impossible if we work hard and play together," Reyes said. "There are some great teams there but we also have talent, and I think we can do it."

The playmaker said the Laprovittola group is kind of like an inspiration for him and his teammates.

"That is a big motivation for us. We can be another group. But we need to work more," he said.

Reyes is expected to be one of the lead point guards for Maxi Seigorman’s team in St. Catherines, where Argentina will face Chile, Ecuador and Canada in Group B. The top four finishers will qualify for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019.

"Of course we want a medal, but our number one goal is to qualify for the U19 World Cup," Reyes said.

"IT'S VERY DIFFICULT IN THE AMERICAS, BUT IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE IF WE WORK HARD AND PLAY TOGETHER. THERE ARE SOME GREAT TEAMS THERE BUT WE ALSO HAVE TALENT, AND I THINK WE CAN DO IT."ReyesReyes

Argentina played at the U19 World Cup last summer in Cairo, playing in the global spectacle for the 12th time in 13 editions. But the Argentinians did not qualify directly for Egypt as they originally finished fifth at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2016.

However, since the Brazilian federation was suspended from FIBA competitions, Argentina were granted the spot and finished eighth. Reyes said he and his teammates want to get to the 2019 event on their own merit.

"We will give everything we have because we know what happened last year with Cairo. We want to qualify for our generation," Reyes said.

One major advantage for Reyes and many of his teammates in the preparations for St. Catherines was Argentina competing at the 2018 Albert Schweitzer Tournament. Reyes averaged 14.0 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game as Argentina finished eighth at the biennial U18 tournament in Mannheim, Germany in April.

"OF COURSE WE WANT A MEDAL, BUT OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO QUALIFY FOR THE U19 WORLD CUP."ReyesReyes

 "In Argentina we play a different style so that tournament gave us exposure to different defenses," said Reyes, who helped Argentina to a win over Turkey while suffering losses to Australia, Israel, Japan, Germany, France and a United States select team.

"Those were great teams with great players. We are really happy with how we played and saw the fruits of our labor. And it will really help us for Canada," Reyes added.

It might even help them finally get back to the U18 Americas podium.

FIBA