VEN - Waiting on Greivis

CARACAS (FIBA Americas Championship) - Alarm bells aren't ringing in Venezuela, but there is going to be some anxiety in the coming weeks as the country monitors the health of Greivis Vasquez ahead of the FIBA Americas Championship.

The New Orleans Pelicans point guard has undergone surgery on both ankles to have loose particles removed and the rehabilitation period is expected to last between 12 and 16 weeks.

With the recovery time in mind and if all goes well, Vasquez would expect to be back on the court by mid-August.

The FIBA Americas Championship, a qualifying event for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, tips off in Caracas on 30 August.

"I played with pain during the final weeks of the regular season," said the 26-year-old Vasquez.

"I understand that this was the right decision.

"I need to focus on my rehabilitation and return healthy.

"I hope to be able to play in the FIBA Americas Championship although I know that will be determined by how my recovery goes."

In his third NBA season and second full campaign with New Orleans following his trade to the Pelicans from Memphis, Vasquez was sensational, averaging 13.9 points, 9.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds.

His assist average ranked third overall in the league behind Boston's Rajon Rondo (11.1) and Chris Paul (9.7) of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Venezuela know if Vasquez is in the line-up, they will have a much better chance of having a top-four finish at the FIBA Americas Championship, which is needed to reach Spain next year.

One of the country's greatest ever players, former NBA forward Carl Herrera, said in the Venezuelan media: "The most important thing is the health of Greivis.

"If he arrives in time to play for the national team, perfect.

"But he has many other things to think about.

"He has a family, a job and everything depends on his health.

"Obviously we all want him to play for the team and represent our country but if he can't, there are players who also feel the shirt and can do the job.

"They may not be like Greivis, but that would give him the opportunity to recuperate."

FIBA