ARG - When Campazzo took center stage

LONDON (FIBA Americas Championship) – It took just a few seconds at the London Olympics for Facundo Campazzo to go from unknown in international basketball to one of Argentina’s most combative players.

A 1.79m Peñarol playmaker who at 21 had been named the MVP of the Liga Nacional play-offs, Campazzo had already won the respect of fans in Argentina but he made no friends with the United States team because of an incident with Carmelo Anthony on the last night of Preliminary Round action.

At the end of the third quarter of their game and with the USA on their way to a convincing victory, Anthony fell to the court in apparent pain after shooting a three-pointer.

Campazzo had run past the Knicks superstar just as he released his shot and Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski exploded, arguing that the Argentinian had struck Anthony as he ran past.

American broadcasters said Campazzo had delivered a cheap shot and for several seconds, it looked as if the teams might come to blows.

The referees restored order, however, and the teams played the last frame without incident.

The Americans won, 126-97, but international basketball knew who Facundo Campazzo was.

With starter Pablo Prigioni out while recovering from a kidney stone attack, Campazzo had played a team-high 37 minutes and finished with eight points, seven assists, four rebounds and just two turnovers.

If the incident with Anthony put Campazzo in a negative light for American fans, it may have endeared the youngster to Argentina’s supporters even more.

What Lamas will remember is that his young playmaker gained invaluable experience in that game, which will come in handy as the national team transitions into a new era.

Campazzo will remember 2012 as the time when he played with the golden generation of Argentina.

The national team had finished top of the podium at the Athens Games eight years earlier and many of those stars were still in the national side that played in London.

Argentina’s basketball icons like Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni, Carlos Delfino and Leo Gutierrez have been mesmerizing on the international stage for a decade, and they certainly made an impression on Campazzo at the Olympics.

"On the court, they are able to play blindfolded without any types of problems because they have a lot of talent,” Campazzo said.

"Off the court, the friendship and sincere commitment that is in the group is remarkable.”

There was one member of the ‘Golden Generation’ who really stood out for Campazzo.

"Luis Scola gave me advice all the time,” he said in an interview with El Gráfico.

“He went into every game early on to warm up with his shooting, just as he did at the pre-Olympic in Mar del Plata, and I went with him and noticed that everything I practiced with him, it helped me to improve.”

Campazzo will be a central figure for Argentina moving forward.

Next year, Lamas will coach the national team at next year's FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas when Argentina attempt to qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

FIBA