CPV - Cape Verde's big kid with big ambition

ABIDJAN (AfroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Last June, Walter 'Edy' Tavares pulled out of the NBA Draft, but the decision was not the end of his NBA dream.

The Cape Verde international pledges to enter the NBA Draft next year when he hopes to become more NBA-ready.

This coming season, Tavares will ply his trade in Spain's Liga Endesa with Canaria Herbalife.

"I'll make the most of my career in the Spanish league and keep working harder," Tavares explained to FIBA.com.

"The Spanish league is second best in the world, and I think it is the right place to improve my game."

The 21-year-old center measures in at 2.20m and is the tallest player at AfroBasket 2013.

Despite having only five years of basketball experience, he has showed remarkable improvement as he averaged 8.5 points in two games of the tournament.

"In life, you gain nothing for free, this is why I am always open to learn from more experienced players," Tavares pointed out.

For now he is focused on his national team's attempt to achieve their best result possible at the continental championship in Abidjan.

Achieving a best result means doing better than their third place at AfroBasket 2007.

On Thursday, in  Cape Verde's second game in Group C, Tavares had 12 points thanks to a staggering 86 percent success in the paint as the islanders defeated Central African Republic 90-82.

"Today we had a big win that allows us to dream," Tavares said after the game.

"As you can see, Cape Verde is a good team who never stops fighting.

"How far can we go in the competition? We will go as far as our fighting spirit allows us to."

Despite Cape Verde's defeat against Angola on Tuesday, Tavares is adamant they are ready to do better.

If Cape Verde do as well or better than in 2007, that will mean they will secure one of the three spots available for African teams to qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

For full and in-depth coverage of AfroBasket 2013, go to the official website http://abidjan2013.fibaafrica.com/.

FIBA