ESP - Sergio bears fruit for Real, national team

MADRID (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Real Madrid made a wise decision a few years ago when it offered Sergio Rodriguez the opportunity to play for their basketball team.

A young point guard just scratching the surface of his potential in the NBA, Rodriguez jumped at the chance to return to the nation's capital, where he had once played for Estudiantes.

There were some lows, with injuries stymying his early days with the team, but in recent times there have only been highs.

A leading player in both the Spanish top flight and the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, Rodriguez has served as a lightning bolt in nearly every game for Real, helping them win all 28 of their games this season.

They are 15-0 in the Spanish Liga Endesa and 13-0 in Europe.

With Rodriguez having blossomed into the one of the best players in Europe, Real have signed the 27-year-old to a new contract, one that will keep him with the team through the 2017-18 campaign.

"I'm very happy to be a part of this great institution," he said.

"We're in a good spell right now and we have to take advantage of this."

Many people believe that Real Madrid are playing some of the best basketball in the history of the club.

Even in difficult games when the team appears ripe to be beaten, it has shown an ability to grind out wins.

"We are going well," Rodriguez said to FIBA.com.

"We know that when things are going right, we play perfect, everything is a good way.

"But when we are not playing as well as we usually do, we know the way to get better during the game."

Continuity has been important for the club which won the Liga Endesa last year but lost in the Euroleague Final.

Most of the players from last year are in this season's squad, including Rodriguez's fellow Spain internationals Sergio Llull, Felipe Reyes and Rudy Fernandez.

Pablo Laso is also still the coach.

"First of all, we've been together one more year so that always helps to have the same team because we know each other more," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez's level of play has continued to improve.

Last season, he averaged 7.5 points per game in the Euroleague and now, that number has shot up to 13.7ppg.

From three-point range, Rodriguez has buried 31 of 59 (52.5%) of his attempts.

Inside the arc, he's made 57.9% (33 of 57) while at the line, Rodriguez has converted 19 of 20 chances.

His performances bode well for Rodriguez's other team, which is Spain's national side.

This summer, he will be looking to play for Spain for a third straight year.

Rodriguez was a member of the country's title-winning side at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan and he also played at EuroBasket 2007 when Spain finished runners-up.

He was not selected from 2008 through 2011, when his career was all but grounded in the NBA with Portland, Sacramento and New York.

Rodriguez returned to the national squad for the 2012 Olympics.

Last year in Slovenia at the EuroBasket 2013, where Spain finished third, Rodriguez was vital.

He was third in the team in scoring at 9.8ppg, second in assists (3.2) and third in steals with nine for the tournament.

He shot 43.2% (16 of 37) from three-point range.

Rodriguez is hoping coach Juan Antonio Orenga has him in the squad for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"I'm very excited," he said.

"To play in the World Cup in Spain would be great.

"My wish is to be with the team and to help it do the best."

The draw for the World Cup will be in Barcelona on 3 February.

FIBA