VEN - Vasquez hoping for a miracle

CARACAS (FIBA Americas Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The doctors are telling Greivis Vasquez not to play for Venezuela this summer and to rest his surgically repaired right ankle.

But the NBA guard, arguably the most important player in the national team set-up, is refusing to give up hope that he'll play at the FIBA Americas Championship in his native Caracas.

His compatriots have been sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting to hear some good news about Vasquez.

"I have progressed well," said Vasquez, who had the operation after the end of the NBA season.

"The recuperation process is going well. Unfortunately, the recommendation of the doctor is that it's best that I don't play.

"He prefers that I don't use the ankle because I could lose part of the progress that I have made from the injury.

"I understand that this is part of the business, I can't put my profession at risk."

The tournament tips off 30 August, so Vasquez is running out of time.

“I believe in miracles," he said.

"I love my country and I think I still have a chance."

Vasquez's career in the NBA took of in 2012-13 when he played a lot for New Orleans and was among the league's assists leaders.

His performances in two games at the 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament electrified the crowds at the Poliedro.

"It's a difficult moment for me," he said, "for my career and my family.

"The fact that the tournament is in Venezuela, two blocks from where I grew up, facing so many people who continue to follow my career with so much affection, that makes it complicated.

"To not be able to help my team makes this a hard process for me."

New Orleans traded Vasquez to Sacramento this summer and the Kings and Vasquez understands the importance of getting off to a good start with his new team.

"They want me to be 100%, to arrive to training camp healthy."

The top four sides at the FIBA Americas Championship will qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Venezuela will play in Group B against Mexico, Argentina, the Dominican Republic and Paraguay.

FIBA