OM/USA - Villanueva dreams on representing the Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO (FIBA Americas Championship) - Milwaukee Bucks star forward Charlie Villanueva dreams with representing the Dominican Republic in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship to be played from August 26 to September 6 in Mexico.

"That's my goal, to play for the Dominican Republic," stated Villanueva to ESPNDeportes. "It has always been my dream".

Villanueva averages 16.3 points and 6.7 with Milwaukee this season. The player needed the release by USA Basketball after he represented the United States in the FIBA Americas U21 Championship played in Halifax, Canada in 2004.

"As you know, Mr. Villanueva played for USA Basketball in the 2004 FIBA Americas U20 Championship," explained Jim Tooley, executive director of USA Basketball, in a letter sent to FEDOMBAL. "However, USA Basketball would have no objection to Mr. Villanueva playing for the Dominican Republic in future FIBA events because USA Basketball does not have plans for him to be a member of future USA national teams."

Fedombal and Villanueva are submitting the documents to FIBA in order to change his sports citizenship from USA to the Dominican Republic.

The 6-11 player is son of Roberto Villanueva and Doris Mejia. Villanueva was born in Queens, New York and played in UConn (NCAA). The initiative to represent the Dominican Republic came from the star player.

"It was my own initiative," said Villanueva. "After I played for the USA team everything was delayed, but I have always wanted to play for the Dominican Republic; it'll be a dream come true."

The Dominican Republic has many NBA players in their team including Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks and Francisco Garcia of the Sacramento Kings. It is also expected that Trevor Ariza joins the team since his grandfather was born in the Dominican Republic.