Mexico, Venezuela and Dominican Republic set for Toronto 2015

TORONTO (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Mexico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have finalized their squads for the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, with the men's tournament tipping off in just five days.

Plenty of youngsters will have an opportunity to show their respective national team coaches that they also merit consideration for spots in the FIBA Americas Championship (31 August-12 September) squads.

On the 12-man roster of Mexico are a couple of players with plenty of promise in 2.11m center Edgar Garibay and Israel Gutierrez, the latter who played at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"We are playing better every day," Mexico coach Sergio Valdeolmillos said to laaficion.com.

"I am glad that young players will have a great opportunity, as in the case of Edgar Garibay, who is very talented; Israel, who will have a very important role now.

This type of competition is for younger players. - Valdeolmillos

Mexico captured the silver medal at the last Pan American Games.

Mexico squad for Pan American Games: Francisco Cruz, Edgar Garibay, Gabriel Giron, Israel Gutierrez, Hector Hernandez, Jesus Hiram Lopez, Orlando Mendez, Pedro Meza, Marco Ramos, Carlos Toussaint and Adran Zamora.

Venezuela, who have been training and playing friendly games in Spain, are looking for big things from big man Gregory Echenique.

The 2.10m center missed the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship while focusing on launching his professional career but he is back in the fold and will be with the team in Toronto.

Venezuela have a couple of more warm-up clashes before the start of the Pan American Games.

They will take on hosts Canada on 17 July and then Mexico two days later.

In addition to Echenique, Venezuela coach Nestor 'Che' Garcia will have national team veterans Jose and Gregory Vargas, David Cubillan and Luis Bethelmy, as well as leading players from the country's top flight.

Venezuela squad for Pan American Games: Luis Bethelmy, Nestor Colmenares, John Cox, David Cubillan, Gregory Echenique, Heissler Guillent, Dwight Lewis, Miguel Marriaga, Miguel Ruiz, Gregory Vargas, Jose Vargas and Jhornan Zamora.

Dominican Republic coach Jose Maita Mercedes will also have a youthful squad with six players making their senior team debuts.

"With this group, we seek to see the development of some players, so they can view their game at the FIBA level,"Mercedes said to basketdominicano.com.

Dominican Republic squad for Pan American Games: Jose Acosta, Angel Luis Delgado, Miguel Dicent, Andres Feliz, Manuel Fortuna, Juan Jose Garcia, Manuel Guzman, James Maye, Rigoberto Mendoza, Nehemiah Morillo, Edward Santana and Gerardo Suero.

FIBA