Nogueira hoping for chance to play at home Olympics

TORONTO (2016 Olympics) - Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira is emerging among the countless candidates to replace injured Tiago Splitter in Brazil's squad for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

When Splitter, a regular member of Brazil men's national team, underwent season-ending surgery on his right hip a month ago, he reminded everyone that his country has no shortage of talent to fill in for him.

In fact Ruben Magnano's team has many options at the center position, namely Nene Hilario, Anderson Varejao, Augusto Lima, Rafael Hettsheimer, Caio Torres and Fabricio Melo, but Nogueira remains upbeat about his chances.

The Rio de Janeiro native has never hidden his dream of wanting to play in his home town Olympics but admits he needs to work a lot harder to make the final squad.

"I hope to get a spot in the final roster, but I know that I am going to need to work twice as hard," he told FIBA.com.

In the Group Phase, Brazil will take on eternal rivals Argentina as well as go up against Nigeria, Lithuania, Spain and a team that will qualify via one of the three 2016 FIBA Olympics Qualifying Tournaments.

The 23-year-old Nogueira, who is yet to represent Brazil in an official men's national team competition, admits the host country will have to excel if they are to win a first-ever Olympic medal.

"There is a large number of very good teams in the Olympics. I can easily pick seven or eight teams who are able to compete for medals," he said.

It will be difficult for us to reach the podium, but with the support of our fans and the great players that we have, winning a bronze medal seems quite reachable. - Nogueira

The 2.16m center last starred for Brazil at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship in Latvia, helping them to a ninth-place finish.

Nogueira averaged 9.6 points and 8.8 rebounds for Brazil
at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship

Five years on and the Rio Olympics that matters for Nogueira. 

"In the last two seasons I pulled out of the national team due to contract reasons. And as a result my relation with fans and the CBB (Brazilian Basketball Confederation) got a bit sour," he explained. "But I hope this doesn't affect my chances of making the team."

FIBA