DOM - Dominican National team almost complete

SANTO DOMINGO (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) – The Dominican Republic National Team is almost complete for the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship to be played in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Dominican Basketball Federation President, Frank Herasme, informed that the arrival of Al Horford and Luis Flores will be in August.

"Horford and Flores will join the team in the first week of August while Julio Toro (head coach) will be in eight days, after he finishes the BSN finals,” said Herasme to ESPN Deportes.

The Dominicans also confirmed center Josh Asselin who was naturalized and guard Francisco Garcia is already training. Carlos Morbán, Joel Ramírez, Marlon Martínez, Iván Almonte, Juan Coronado, Richard Ortega, among others already reported to the team.

Their arrival to Puerto Rico will be five to six days before the FIBA Americas Championship in order to warm up against the Puerto Rican national team or a club.

NBA star Charlie Villanueva already arrived to the Dominican Republic and he is happy after signing with the Detroit Pistons and at the same time he received permission to play in the tournament.

"I am close to fulfilling my dream of representing the Dominican Republic, the country of my parents and all my family. I was born in the United States but my origins are here and I feel Dominican," said Villanueva to basketdominicano.com

"I already have the Dominican passport, I came to get it in order to go into Puerto Rico," said Villanueva who will get his citizenship soon.

Villanueva will also join the practices at the start of August for the team that hopes to finish in the top four in order to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

FIBA Americas