BRA - Brazil coach counting on strong squad
SAO PAULO (National team) - Brazil coach Aluisio 'Lula' Ferreira, has revealed that he expects to have all NBA- and Europe-based players available for the Pan-American Games and the FIBA Americas Championship. Ferreira will convene his side in the summer as he bids to lead Brazil to a record third victory in the Pan-American competition and will have a
SAO PAULO (National team) - Brazil coach Aluisio 'Lula' Ferreira, has revealed that he expects to have all NBA- and Europe-based players available for the Pan-American Games and the FIBA Americas Championship.
Ferreira will convene his side in the summer as he bids to lead Brazil to a record third victory in the Pan-American competition and will have a full squad to pick from.
That is a significant boost to the team's quest to reach the final of the FIBA Americas Championship - a feat that would secure a spot at the 2008 Olympics.
Ferreira said: "Players will come in the end of June to start training. We'll have all the players who play in the NBA and Europe.
"Since the end of this international season, all the players have promised to represent the national team in both tournaments.
"The Pan-American Games will also be a good warm-up to the pre-Olympics (the FIBA Americas Championship).
"The pre-Olympics will be a very tiring tournament, as we play 10 games in eleven days. We'll have to be very well prepared physically, as all games are decisive."
PA Sport