Gian Clavell: ''We're going for great things''
In his first year with the Puerto Rico national team, guard Gian Clavell has turned into a key piece in the Boricua game in their mission of winning the ticket to the greatest event in world basketball.
SAN JUAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) — In his first year with the Puerto Rico national team, guard Gian Clavell has turned into a key piece in the Boricua game in their mission of winning the ticket to the greatest event in world basketball.
The 24-year-old shooter debuted with the Caribbean team in the first qualifying window to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China and, since then, has always been re-called by coach Eddie Casiano.
“It's always an honor to put on the Puerto Rico jersey and represent your island.”
As all good Puerto Ricans, when Clavell was a child he enjoyed watching the island's squad. Now, he has the responsibility of being part of a group that is trying to take Puerto Rico back to a place of international respect as it used to be, more recently, for a great part of the 1990’s.
The 6’4” (1.9 meters) scorer enjoyed standing in the podium for the first time while wearing his country's colors when, a few weeks ago, he was part of the team that won the gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla. Although for some this achievement is not as worthy of recognition, for Clavell it was important because it establishes the foundations of what could happen in the future for the Puerto Rico national team.
“It doesn't matter where it is — winning gold is winning gold. We won the gold for Puerto Rico and the family feels good about it. It means that we're on the right path to get to where we want to. I think we're moving step by step. We're close, we're not that far away,” said Clavell when pointing out what he felt about being in the highest step of the podium.
“The Central Americans [Games] were a source of pride, but we want (to be) in a World Cup. We want something big. We're not going for small things; we're going for great things. This is what we're looking for, this is why we're preparing,” Clavell added, who used to watch the national team play and follow the action with players like Casiano, José Juan Barea, Carlos Arroyo, Larry Ayuso, David Huertas and Javier Mojica.
In his first six games of the Qualifiers, Clavell made his mark with 12.5 point and 2.8 rebound averages and has gained coach Casiano’s trust.
A year before Clavell was born, Puerto Rico surprised the world by reaching fourth place at the 1990 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The Puerto Ricans were consistent in World Cup and Olympic qualifications, but since 2005 luck has not been on their side. Puerto Rico were invited to the world stage in Japan 2006. In that tournament, as well as in Turkey 2010 and Spain 2014, the Boricuas were eliminated in the first round.
At an Olympic level, Puerto Rico has not qualified since Athens 2004, remaining a victory away from achieving a spot in the past three Olympics. Clavell knows that the road is difficult for the Caribbean team, but he trusts the process.
“We have to work as a team. Everyone has to be together to get to the World Cup and the Olympics. It's not easy; for the Central Americans [Games] we didn’t practice and we won.”
“The fans are going to criticize and that's part of the game. The fans always have something positive or negative to say and that's what's fun for me. Let's hope they keep supporting us a lot in this process. No matter what happens, we're playing with our hearts to get to other levels — that's what's most important,” said the player.
In his young career, Clavell has experience in the NBA, the Turkish National League and in the next season he will play at Spain’s Liga ACB with Club Estudiantes.
As guard and sometimes small forward of the Puerto Rico team, Clavell is following the footsteps of national players that were in his position, like Casiano, Ayuso, Mario “Quijote” Morales and others. Clavell does not feel that weight over his shoulders.
“No. I’m Gian Clavell and I'm different. Everyone is unique. There's no pressure for me. Pressure is for those who are not prepared for these things. You prepare the whole year to play at the greatest level,” the confident point guard pointed out, while describing his game as athletic. He likes to defend, stating “I take more risks, Eddie can vouch for that.”
FIBA