PUR – Arroyo in good frame of mind ahead of Centrobasket

SAN JUAN (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Carlos Arroyo couldn’t be feeling any better heading into a busy summer with Puerto Rico.

Fresh off an NBA season with the Miami Heat in which he started 35 of the team's 82 games, the veteran point guard feels secure in his future even though he has yet to sign a new deal.

Next week, Arroyo will lead his country into the Centrobasket in the Dominican Republic after being confirmed in the 12-man squad.

"I'm more relaxed than ever and focused on the national team practice," he said, before touching on his next contract in the NBA.

"I'm not really concerned about what will happen. I know I will have work again in the NBA.

"The organization let us know that it's interested in talking to us.

"That is the main reason for my peace."

Arroyo averaged better than six points and three assists for the Heat last season.

As for the Centrobasket Championship, the tournament in which the top four teams qualify for the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship and the top three for the 2011 Pan American Games, Arroyo is one of three NBA players in the 12-man squad.

The Dallas Mavericks' playmaker Jose Barea and Denver Nuggets forward Renaldo Balkman are also included.

At the Centrobasket, Puerto Rico are in Group B along with Belize, Cuba, Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago.

Puerto Rico will play at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey next month.

They will compete in Group C against Greece, Russia, China, Ivory Coast and hosts Turkey.

Puerto Rico squad for Centrobasket Championship (July 5-11): Jose Juan Barea, Carlos Arroyo, Filiberto Rivera, Miguel Ali Berdiel, James Life Flores, David Huertas, Carmelo Lee, Ricky Sanchez, Renaldo Balkman, Nathan Peavy, Luis Villafane and Peter John Ramos.

FIBA