Angel Rodriguez acknowledges Carlos Rivera's mentorship

AUSTIN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) — At the most recent edition of FIBA AmeriCup, the Puerto Rican side witnessed the debut of their promise in the point guard position: Angel Rodríguez.

The player born in San Juan gave clue as to what he could be in the court at an international context, when he scored 23 points against Brazil in an important victory for his side in the continental tournament that took place in Colombia. This was the first event for Rodríguez in the Puerto Rican senior team, and he then participated in the first window of last November.

In the short time that he has played with the National Team, Rodríguez has known how to use this opportunity to absorb all possible knowledge from another point guard that is a Puerto Rican basketball veteran and who has been his mentor in his first steps in the team: Carlos Rivera.

“For me, he's been more than a mentor both in and out of the court. He always talks to me, gives me advice, shares the different experiences he’s lived... I’ve been able to absorb so much information from players that have been in my position for so many years now,” said Rodríguez about Carlos Rivera.

Rivera is a veteran point guard from Puerto Rico who debuted in the National Team in 2014. At a national level, Rivera has won four championships in the Island's main league: Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN, for its Spanish acronym).

In his three games at FIBA AmeriCup, Rodríguez averaged 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists to aid Puerto Rico into a 2-1 mark. However, for the first window in November, his point average (11.0) and assists (5.0) were better.

Rodríguez executed a solid performance (13 points, 8 assists and 2 steals) in Puerto Rico’s loss against United States; and in the comfortable win against Cuba, he scored nine with two assists in 18 minutes.
“Each time I have the honor and opportunity to represent and wear Puerto Rico's name across my chest is something truly special for me. I take it very seriously. We have a young group that wish to prove themselves,” Rodríguez remarked.

Puerto Rico has a 1-1 record in group C of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers. The Boricuas will play as visitors in their two commitments for this window. First, against Mexico (February 23 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon); and then, against United States (February 26 in Santa Cruz, California).

FIBA