ARG - “One on one” with Sergio Hernandez, Argentinean coach

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Americas Championship 2007) – Argentinean head coach, Sergio Hernandez, the man in charge of Argentina’s national team (currently at second place in the FIBA World Ranking), shared some of his experiences with “One on One” just weeks before the FIBA Americas Championship 2007, in Las Vegas (from August 22 to September 2).

FA: What are your expectations facing the FIBA Americas Championship 2007 in Las Vegas?
Our top priority is to qualify directly to the Olympic Games. We will do everything under our power to get one of the two spots available, in order to avoid the qualifying tournament (FIBA World Pre-Olympic Championship).

FA: What does it means to participate in this kind of competition, both as an individual and a team?

To represent Argentina is something that always brings pride and happiness. This is a great challenge, our team has a lot of history behind it, and it is one of the best in the world.

FA: How do you foresee the future of your National Team?

Argentina has lots of players of international quality. We have achieved some important things and we will keep this pace in the future, in order to stay as one of the best teams. With regards to the younger national teams, we have to avoid comparisons; there is a group of players who exceeded our expectations, nonetheless, we have no doubt that there are some interesting future projects on our formative teams.

FA: What is your philosophy as a coach when facing a competition like this one?

It is about trying to develop an integral basketball, covering every aspect of the game in the best possible way. I like to have well-discipline technical teams, but I also let the players read the game and act upon it. In addition, a lot depends on the players that one has available.

FA: What have you done in order to achieve the level you are currently at?

I think that when they chose me as head coach of Argentina’s National team, they took under consideration the fact that I was number 1, coached-games wise, in Argentina’s National League; as well as having the best winning percentage. Moreover, I won some national titles, and previously, I did coach, and won, some international tournaments as well. For me, these are some of the facts that greatly influenced my selection.

FA: Any recommendation to improve basketball’s future?

At the South American level, I believe that each country has to keep its essence, as well as its playing nature. Additionally, we have to be aware of what they are doing in Europe, in order to keep improving ourselves.

FA: What are your basic duties as head coach of a national team?

One of my duties is to have each player to commit himself to the team; to have a competitive state of mind, to play as a team in order to achieve the highest level possible.

FA: Some words for the fans of your national team?

To keep up their hopes; we have a group of players that always play for more and that is good. The Argentinean players want to keep moving forwards in every aspect, and that enables them to achieve important things.

FIBA Americas