By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Pau Gasol was named by Spain to the preliminary list of players set to start training camp ahead of the Olympic Games.
His brother, Marc Gasol, is also among the 18 players called up by head coach Sergio Scariolo. Ricky Rubio, Juan Hernangomez, and Willy Hernangomez are the remaining NBA players on the list.
Wonderkid Usman Garuba will be up for his first senior cap. The Real Madrid big is currently projected to be selected in the first round of the approaching NBA draft.
Sergio Rodriguez and Alex Abrines returned to Spain’s selections fitting in alongside Sergio Llull, Rudy Fernandez, Victor Claver, Carlos Alocen, Dario Brizuela, Xabier Lopez-Arostegui, Pierre Oriola, Alberto Abalde, Sergi Martinez, and Sebas Saiz.
Nikola Mirotic and Serge Ibaka, both eligible to cover the naturalized slot, are both out, as expected.
The Spanish national team will test itself against France, Argentina, and the USA in upcoming friendly games. Moving on to the Tokyo Olympics, they were drawn in Group C together with host Japan, Argentina, and the winner of the Kaunas Olympic Qualifying Tournament.