JOR - Wright wants glory in last NT stint

AMMAN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Jordan's Rasheim Wright is thinking about one thing and one thing only with the FIBA Asia Championship quickly approaching.

Wright wants to finish top of the podium in Wuhan and go to the London Games.

"We're going to the tournament to win," Wright said to FIBA.com.

"This is my last go around with the national team and I want to win."

Wright, the country's explosive, naturalized guard from the United States, led the FIBA Asia Championship in scoring two years ago in Tianjin.

He averaged 20.7 points per game and was virtually unstoppable when driving to the basket.

That year, and then at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, Wright played for coach Mario Palma.

Now the man in charge is Tab Baldwin, the former New Zealand and Lebanon boss.

"Every coach has their own style of coaching and we were used to the one Palma coached for four years," Wright said.

"Unfortunately, I've only had a month with the new coach and he's totally different.

"Also last year I think we had a better preparation and more camp and more games. This year, we've got a few injuries to players who played in the World Championship and we hope the new guys can step up.

"Mousa Alawadi and our center Ayman Idais are out," he pointed out.

"But I feel as though the competition is up for grabs this year because we know what we are going up against."

Jordan didn't win a game at the FIBA World Championship but they sure had their chances.

They were edged out by Australia in their opener, 76-75, and Argentina only beat them 88-79 after doing just enough in the fourth quarter.

"I think that last year, we had a problem closing games," Wright said.

"Once we had a lead, we couldn't close it the right way."

The tournament was a high point in Wright's career, though.

"It was great," he recalled. "I was still coming off a sprained ankle and wasn't 100% but the whole experience was great.

"It doesn't compare to any tournament I've played in.

"Every team had great players in their squads.

"We played Argentina and (Luis) Scola stood out.

"We played against (Serbia's Milos) Teodosic, all those guys were great."

Wright was not in awe, though.

"I'm from Philly (Philadelphia) and it's kind of rough there so once you are out there, you got to play."

If Jordan were to win the FIBA Asian Championship in Wuhan, something amazing would happen.

Wright would play at the Olympics.

"I can't even imagine it," he said.

"You see it growing up, the guys walking around with the flag at the opening ceremonies.

"It would be a dream."

FIBA