Venezuela - Urbina Gets First Taste of Professional Play in FIBA

From broadsideonline.com
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An injury-plagued season robbed Jesus Urbina of a chance to play in the Final Four in 2006.

Getting an opportunity to play on a big stage in the summer of 2007 was something he did not want to pass up.

Urbina was honored to play with the Venezuelan national team during the summer, which included an appearance in the FIBA Americas, a qualifying tournament for the Summer Olympic Games.

The experience was memorable for the Mason graduate.

"We traveled all over the world and we played really good competition," said the 6-foot-7 forward. "We played the Spanish national team who won the World Championships last year. We played against China, though Yao wasn’t there."

Like Gabe Norwood, who played in FIBA Asia, playing a nation’s best on a daily basis has benefited Urbina in that he gained experience that could be used on the college and professional level. However, the experience of playing in Las Vegas was also memorable for even more reasons.

"Vegas was just ridiculous by playing against the USA team with the best players in the world," said Urbina, who graduated in May 2007 with a degree in communications. "Then, we got to play against Argentina, one of the best teams in the world."

The Venezuelan’s opening-night contest in FIBA Americas was against Team USA. Even though USA prevailed 112-69, Urbina put up his best performance of the tournament, scoring six points and pulling down four rebounds in only 10 minutes of action.

"At first I didn’t realize, I was just playing the game. It was just like playing regular guys," said Urbina of playing the USA squad. "After the game was over, it set in, ‘Wow, I just played against Kobe, LeBron, Dwight Howard, guys that I watch every night in the NBA.’ It was a very good experience."

The experience drew the attention of many professional teams, especially those in Europe. Since Urbina already earned his degree, the decision to pursue his second goal was a no-brainer.

"I’m in conversation with a few teams in Spain and just waiting for the best situation," Urbina said. "I came here with two goals: get my degree, which I proudly did last year. Now, I am trying to realize my other goal, which is to go overseas and play professionally and try to make a living and play as long as I can."

Realizing his dream of playing basketball professionally is something that Urbina can proudly say that he is getting the chance to accomplish. Though he is moving on, Urbina will miss the joys of college and being with his teammates.

"It was a tough decision. Other stuff went into it that I couldn’t control," Urbina said. "It was a hard decision to make. I’m sad and happy at the same time. Leaving this place, leaving great people who helped me a lot. Now, I am going on to new places and new things."