Brazil hard at work ahead of busy summer

RIO DE JANEIRO (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Brazil have launched their preparations for the Pan American Games.

Ruben Magnano will take a squad of players to next month's event (21-25 July) in Toronto, Canada, looking to reach the podium and also assess who might be able to help the Brazilians when they compete at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City from 31 August-12 September.

Some of the players have already logged important minutes in big tournaments for Brazil, including Raulzinho Neto, a star at last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Neto is coming off an excellent campaign in Spain's Liga Endesa with Murcia.

He got a chance to play this season with another Brazilian who is in the Pan America Games squad, Augusto Cesar Lima Brito.

Among the other players that have had success with their clubs this season to have been included in the Pan American Games squad is Flamengo forward Olivinha.

The 32-year-old helped the Rio de Janeiro outfit capture the 2014 Intercontinental Cup and the 2014-15 Brazilian domestic title.

Olivinha is relishing the chance to put on the Brazil shirt.

"[It gives me] immense pride," he said.

"My family always buzzes after these calls.

I'm very pleased because this is the recognition of an entire season. - Olivinha

"You give your best for the club, and the result is to be called into a national team.

"Representing my country in any tournament will always be a huge satisfaction."

The Brazil team heading to the FIBA Americas Championship, meanwhile, will be looking to make a statement after what happened a couple of years ago in Caracas.

The Brazilians, missing numerous players, crashed out of the event after four losses in as many games.

At the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City, Brazil will play in Group A with Panama, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

For more coverage of the FIBA Americas Championship, go to fiba.com/Americas2015.

FIBA