By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Unicaja Malaga’s power forward, Tyson Perez, represented the Spanish national team at FIBA EuroBasket 2022 and World Cup 2022 Qualifiers, but he could switch to the Dominican Republic.
The 29-year-old player, born in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, has reportedly already begun the process of trying to play for his home country, from where he arrived in Spain at the age of nine.
According to the Spanish national team’s head coach Sergio Scariolo’s statement to Ser Deportivos Malaga, he has the approval to do so in order to have a better chance of playing at major tournaments.
“Tyson has asked us to grant him the possibility this summer for FIBA to reconsider and change its stance, which would allow him to play with the Dominican Republic because he sees it as an easier path to compete in the major summer tournaments. We have granted this because he has always been a committed and hardworking player, he has always given his all when wearing the Spain jersey, and there was no reason not to grant this request,” said the national team coach regarding Tyson Pérez’s request to play for his country of origin.
FIBA initially did not approve his request, for which Spain’s approval is needed, something that, according to the coach’s words, has been given.
This season, Perez has been quite regular in Unicaja’s rotation, averaging 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in the Basketball Champions League, while in 19 ACB League appearances so far, he has averaged 6.7 points and 5.2 boards.