By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With the USA losing big names and the field in the upcoming FIBA World Cup being more competitive than ever, Spain remains one of the usual favorites. However, this is nothing new.
“For many years we have the pressure of being one of the favorites”, admitted national team coach Sergio Scariolo in the presentation of his pre-selection roster to the media. “We’ve done great things and we know we have to meet those expectations. But we know that we can lose some games and that we have to enjoy the road without thinking about the end of the trip. Right now you can’t talk about rivals. It is still too early and there is more than a month left before the World Cup starts. The biggest rival at this moment is ourselves”.
With Pau Gasol out due to his injury, Rudy Fernandez will be the team captain. NBA champions Marc Gasol who is expected to be the leader of the team added: “We are a team. We are a group with a commitment to this national team and we rely on work and effort”.
The list of the 16 players which are included in the pre-selection roster is the following: Rudy Fernández, Marc Gasol, Victor Claver, Ricky Rubio, Sergio Llull, Willy Hernangómez, Pablo Aguilar, Pau Ribas, Pierre Oriola, Joan Sastre, Juancho Hernnagómez, Xavi Rabaseda, Quino Colom, Jaime Fernández, Javi Beirán and Ilimane Diop.
Photo credit: FEB