ARG - Campazzo the passer

MAR DEL PLATA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - There have been plenty of adjectives used to describe the play of Argentina point guard Facundo Campazzo in his young career.

He has been brilliant, crafty, gritty and heroic.

Sometimes, the terms haven't been complimentary.

Such was the case after his high-profile incident with Carmelo Anthony during the London Olympics.

In a play at the end of the third quarter of their Preliminary Round meeting, with the United States having taken a huge lead, Anthony was attempting a three-pointer when Campazzo ran in his direction.

Anthony dropped to the court in pain, and the USA players and coaches complained that Campazzo had intentionally hit the NBA star in the groin.

After a few tense moments when the players on both benches were on their feet, calm was restored.

Campazzo has been the talk of the town a lot since.

This week, his passing ability has captured the spotlight.

The Penarol player, who only recently led the team into the Semi-Final Round of the Liga Sudamericana, returned to Argentina's top flight for a game against Obras Sanitarias and dazzled onlookers with a 19-point, six-assist performance.

Four of his assists came when passed the ball through the legs of opponents.

Campazzo has started the season well, which isn't surprising when considering how he played at the FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, Venezuela.

The 1.79m point guard was second to Luis Scola on the Argentina team in scoring at 13.5 points per game and he also averaged 6.2 assists.

Argentina booked a place at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup by reaching the Semi-Finals in Caracas and ultimately finished third in the tournament.

National team coach Julio Lamas has already said Campazzo is ready to join a tough league in Europe.

There has been speculation that Campazzo may end up becoming the latest Argentinian to play in the NBA.

After the win over Obras, Campazzo was asked what light he could shed on the NBA rumors.

"Nothing," he answered, "the same that you know, I know.

"Nor do I put this in my head.

"I try to take it out of my head because I am 100% focused on the club and the rest of the league."

Campazzo will get a chance to go up against the top players in the sport, many of them NBA stars, when he represents Argentina at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

FIBA