Campazzo embraces the changing of the guard

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - Facundo Campazzo underlined his status as one of Argentina's top players with his performances at the Rio de Janeiro Games.

The playmaker, who is right now preparing for his second campaign with UCAM Murcia in Spain's top flight, had the wow factor at the Olympics. The 25-year-old reached double-digits in scoring in every one of El Alma's six games and put on one of the top showings of the tournament with 33 points, 11 assists and 4 steals in a 111-107 double-overtime triumph against Brazil that clinched a spot in the Quarter-Finals.

Campazzo was 5 of 10 from 3-point range against Brazil

That the 1.81m point guard played so well for Argentina was reassuring for the country's fans, who have wondered what life will be like once all members of the golden generation have gone. Two of Argentina's all-time greats, Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni, suited up for the last time for the national side in Rio.

The team appears to be in safe hands without them. If Campazzo performs at the level that he did in Brazil, it will certainly be very good.

Luis Scola, 36, and Carlos Delfino, 34, are now the only players still on the Argentina roster from the side the captured the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics.

"You saw them train like horses, respect the press and give a certain example in many other respects. We have to continue to show the respect and sacrifice, the values that the golden generation left us." - Campazzo

"We know that at some point, Luis and Carlos are not going to be with us," Campazzo said in an interview on the CABB website. "This is our time and we need to be to the standard required. We have to work hard and start again.

"The good thing is that the young people want to make their own history. I don't know if we're going to be better or worse. What I do know is that we are going to be different. We're going to give our best, which is what the golden generation did. They wanted to make history and everyone gave their best."

In addition to Campazzo, Argentina figure to have Nicolas Laprovittola, Patricio Garino, Gabriel Deck, Marcos Delia, Nicolas Brussino and Roberto Acuna on the roster for the foreseeable future.

"You can see in the look of the guys that they are really keen to progress," Campazzo said. "We are motivated and we will be motivated when the time comes that the big stars are no longer there."

Campazzo had the luxury of playing with Ginobili, Scola, Nocioni and Delfino at the last two Olympics. Scola, Nocioni and Campazzo were the country's three top players at the FIBA AmeriCup 2015.

Campazzo knows that his performances in games will not be the only thing that makes him a leader.

"You have to gain the respect in every sense, not just on the court but off it," he said. "If, when you talk, they listen, that's a sign that your teammates respect you. I think that's the basis of being a good leader."

Scola called Campazzo an exceptional talent and new leader of the national team after the win over Brazil while Ginobili called Campazzo, Laprovittola and Garino the players that will carry the torch for the national team for the coming years. Such expectations do not bother Campazzo.

Campazzo has learned from the best

"I like it," he said. "I feel comfortable. It makes me happy and it motivates me. In any case, before I become the leader there are still tournaments and time but I feel comfortable.

"With Nico, we have to feel like that, seeing as how we are both guards. We have to give an example just as the golden generation did with us.

"You saw them train like horses, respect the press and give a certain example in many other respects. We have to continue to show the respect and sacrifice, the values that the golden generation left us."

FIBA