VEN - Another shot at thrilling the home fans

CARACAS (FIBA Americas Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - It's not often that a basketball player as an opportunity to compete for his country on home soil in a major tournament but Greivis Vasquez is one of the lucky ones.

He'll get to do it twice!

One year after playing in front of the home folk at the 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Caracas, the New Orleans Hornets point guard will return to compete at the FIBA Americas Championship.

Venezuela did such a good job staging the OQT, where Vasquez was a star attraction in the two games the host nation played, that they were successful in their bid to run next year's big event as well.

"I'm very happy because, once again, our country will have a chance to organize a tournament of high international level," Vasquez said.

"This tournament will offer the fans of basketball an opportunity to watch and support our national squad."

All of the teams that show up will attempt to book a place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, to be held in Spain in 2014.

Venezuela will definitely be in the reckoning for a spot in Spain, although there will be plenty of competition at the FIBA Americas event with Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Uruguay and Panama all vying for spots on offer

Vasquez certainly helps give his national team a good shot at making it to Spain.

He can score in a variety of ways and truly gets the crowd behind the team.

This summer, he averaged 24 points and five assists in his two games.

"The designation of Venezuela as host means that we'll have to work very hard if we want to qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain," Vasquez said.

"The Pre-Olympic Tournament taught us that there are lots of changes that we need to make and aspects to improve.

"We, the players, have the obligation of giving everything out of us out there to gain the objective of qualifying and in that aspect, I assume my responsibility.

"We should all think big so we can achieve bigger things and goals."

Venezuela's Oscar Torres has decided to stop playing for the national team, although fellow veteran Hector Romero says he will try to convince Torres to have a re-think.

"If the tournament is in Venezuela, there is more reason for him to remain with the team," Romero said.

Additionally, Venezuela have yet to confirm if Eric Musselman will continue as coach.

Musselman led the team the last two years.

FIBA