MEX - Waiting for Mata

CIUDAD MEXICO (FIBA Americas Championship 2007) - Mexico's National Team is waiting for Lorenzo MATA informed its head coach, Nolan Richardson.

After finishing their first week of training, and after 15 players were cut, the national team, which is preparing in Ciudad Juarez for the FIBA Americas Championship (from August 22 to September 2) awaits for Lorenzo Mata.

"Right now, it is all about being selective. After June 8 or 9, Lorenzo Mata (with experience in the NCAA), Adam Parada and Omar Quintero will join the team", said Richardson. "I really believe in our chances to qualify to the Olympic Games", he mentioned.

The coach confirms the arrival of the UCLA player, who after some doubts about his capability will finally play. In regards to the situation with the NBA players, Eduardo Najera (Denver) and Earl Watson (Seattle), who was born in the United States, Richardson said that both answered his phone calls but refuse to reveal if they refused to play.

Preparation tour

Those pre-selected players will be making a trip, as part of their preparation process, in which they will face the Phoenix Stara, from May 31 till June 9. After that they will recess, only to get back together again in Mexico's Federal Disctrict (Distrito Federal) during the first weeks of July.

The tour's schedule goes as follows:

Thursday, May 31 - Ciudad Juarez
Saturday, June 2nd - Ciudad Delicias
Monday, June 4th - Cuidad Cuauhtemoc
Wednesday, June 6th - Ciudad Jimenez
Friday, June 8th - Chihuahua

FIBA Americas