Puerto Rico officially announced its national election on Saturday en route to the Olympic qualifiers, which will take place from June 29 to July 4, in Serbia.
Amidst the feud between the coach, the players and even the federation itself, Puerto Rico called up a group of promising youngsters – some of whom had already predicted they wouldn’t play – alongside other experienced veterans of Europe and South American countries. The NBA, although not their experienced captain and base, Jose Juan Barry.
Nor is the former member of UConn and several NBA teams, Shabazz Napier, who made his Caribbean debut in the last FIBA window.
And topped the list is the main goalkeeper Gary Brown, goalkeeper Gian Clavel, striker Isaiah Pinheiro, midfielder Tyler Davis and others.
Illinois base, Andrei CorbeloIn addition to base guard Jhivvan Jackson, who is the grandson of legendary coach Fleur Melendez, they have been invited, but will not participate due to personal commitments.
Barilla, who played for Estudiantes in Spain after being released by the Dallas Mavericks, said in February in an interview with Al Jazeera radio commentator Hector de Blamemaker that current coach Eddie Cassiano should leave the Puerto Rican quintet. He emphasized that things were not going well and that change was needed.
Before and after that, players like Ramon Clemente and Javier Mojica joined other players like Angel Rodriguez, the most valuable in the last domestic league final, in retiring from the national team.
The coaching roster has been completed by Emmanuel Andujar, Devon Collier, George Condit IV, Jorge Brian Diaz, Ivan Gandia, Christopher Ortiz, Isaac Sosa, Temja Parker Rivera, Jose Rodriguez, Hanev Cheetham, Alfonso Plummer and Philip Wheeler. Meanwhile, David Huertas’ involvement wasn’t entirely clear.
Puerto Rico belongs to the second group in Belgrade, along with Italy and Senegal. The first two teams from each “key” advance to the semi-finals. The other group consists of Serbia, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines, which has replaced New Zealand. Only one ticket to Tokyo will be given.