ARG – Hernandez sees youngsters getting a chance in Puerto Rico

BUENOS AIRES (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) - Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez has revealed that some of the country’s promising youngsters will be given a chance to impress at this summer’s FIBA Americas Championship in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The bronze-medal winners at last year’s Olympics will have veterans Luis Scola, Carlos Delfino, Leo Gutierrez, Paolo Quinteros and Pablo Prigioni in the squad but with Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni unavailable and Fabricio Oberto uncertain, roster spots are up for grabs.

Every player that goes to San Juan could end up playing for Argentina if they finish in the top four of the tournament and qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

"Argentina has the desire to defend the prestige it has earned in recent years in world basketball,” Hernandez said.

“We need to go to the Americas Championship with the best possible team, but also aware of the tournament we’re facing, what trials will be there and how many teams will qualify.”

At the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas, only two spots for the Olympics were available and there was no room for error since the United States were among the sides needing to qualify.

Team USA claimed one spot and Argentina took the other.

At the FIBA Americas Championship, there will be no United States as they qualified for Turkey by winning Olympic gold in China.

“The USA will not play (in Puerto Rico),” Hernandez said.

“Many teams qualify for the World Championship, so we have to take into account the young players."

FIBA