VEN – National team's preliminary list announced
CARACAS (FIBA Americas Championship 2007) – Venezuela’s Basketball Federation (FVB) announced on Wednesday a list of 15 players that will be part of the National Team which will be active in the FIBA Americas Championship 2007 in Las Vegas. The players’ average age is 24 years, which clearly states Venezuela’s plans for a ...
CARACAS (FIBA Americas Championship 2007) – Venezuela’s Basketball Federation (FVB) announced on Wednesday a list of 15 players that will be part of the National Team which will be active in the FIBA Americas Championship 2007 in Las Vegas. The players’ average age is 24 years, which clearly states Venezuela’s plans for a renovation.
“We didn’t make this decision without good thinking; we analyzed, and decided upon betting to our youngsters for this new cycle, with the FIBA World Championship 2010 in our minds,” said Jose Carmelo Cortez, President of the Venezuelan Basketball Federation.
Attending the press conference also was the national team’s head coach, Nestor Salazar, and his assistant, Nelson Solorzano.
“I’m grateful for been appointed again; I know this group very well, because I’ve been working with them since the past Junior Championships”. He also mentioned that “those players, like Richard Lugo, Victor David, and Tomas Aguilera, who were not selected for the team, should be proud of this new generation”
He also mentioned that point guard, Diego Guevara, was part of their initial plans but because of personal reasons he opted for retirement. Another player, Rafael Perez, wasn’t part of the list because of his contractual obligations with a team in Puerto Rico.
An aspect which Salazar referred to as the one they have to work with is the team’s average height (1.99 meters, or 6’5”). For that, he is counting on Javier Roman Garcia, a center who played in Spain but that is currently injured (knee).
“We are still counting on Roman. He, himself, has manifested his availability to play for our country.” Finally, he left the door open for a new addition, “there could be a few surprises left”.
The names of players integrating the list are: David Cubillán, Greivis Vásquez, Carlos Cedeño, Jose Vargas, Oscar Torres, Hernan Salcedo, Keving Palacios, Axiers Sucre, Alejandro Barrios, Jesús Urbina, Hector Romero, Luís Julio, Luís Bethelmi, Miguel Marriaga y Herbeth Bayona.
FVB & FIBA Americas