BRA - Rising stars on Magnano's staff

RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - In the modern era of international basketball, national teams must have strong squads and coaching staffs.

Brazil are confident they'll have both when they show up in Spain later this year at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Coach Ruben Magnano has recently paid visits to the country's NBA players in the United States to make sure the team is better equipped in 2014 than it was last year, when it played in Venezuela without Tiago Splitter, Nene, Leandro Barbosa and Anderson Varejao and crashed out of the FIBA Americas Championship after just four games.

All indications are that the American-based stars will report for national team duty.

There are no questions when it comes to the availability of solid assistants for Magnano.

Jose Neto, Gustavo de Conti and Demetrius Ferraciu are three capable coaches in charge of Brazilian youth national teams.

They are also at the helm of clubs in the country.

Each will help make sure national team practices run smoothly.

They will also offer Magnano advice during the important moments of games in Spain.

The head coach says he has a lot of faith in the trio.

"They have ability and passion for what they do," Magnano said.

"The coaches are smart, who like the collective game and with similar characteristics. I see a bright future ahead for them."

Neto has coached Brazil at the FIBA U19 World Championships in Serbia (2007) and Latvia (2011).

He says there has been much to learn from Magnano.

"His actions, either in practice or in games, are always based on the group," said Neto, who is also the coach of this year's FIBA Americas League winners, Flamengo.

"There is no vanity in his work."

Gustavo, who has coached the Brazilian U18 team, is also the boss of Paulistino in the country's national league NBB.

He says one of Magnano's aspects that helps him succeed is his insight into other teams.

"When we talk to him about opponents, he already knows all the moves of these teams, is always prepared to handle all types of situations that arise during the games," said Gustavo.

"Despite being a very picky guy, he knows how to deal with both young and more experienced players."

Former national team captain Demetrius has a lot to offer as a former player, but is also gaining a lot in his coaching career by working with Magnano.

During the club season, he is at the helm of Limeira.

He also serves as the coach of the Brazil U17 team.

"As a player, I knew that intensity from day to day and international games," Demetrius said. "But as a coach, I've learned a lot from him."

One day in the future, any one of these assistants could end up leading Brazil's senior team.

Each is ambitious.

"I have the dream of one day coaching the Brazilian team," Neto said. "I think every coach has, but at the moment I do not see this possibility.

"I can not imagine the national team without him (Magnano).

"Likewise. I do not see me out of the coaching staff as an assistant."

Magnano and his coaching staff are looking to get rid of the hangover from last year's disappointment with Brazil having received a wild card to play at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

They will compete in Group A against Spain, France, Serbia, Iran and Egypt.

FIBA