“El Che” says goodbye to Venezuela

ARGENTINA (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - Coach Néstor García will continue his career in Spain, specifically in the ACB League’s Fuenlabrada Basketball, and won't continue to be at the head of the Venezuelan National Team. “I won’t continue to lead this team,” said “Che” once the maroon jerseys ended their participation at FIBA AmeriCup 2017’s Group B.

“I didn't quit. I won’t be able to coach this team due to bylaw reasons. Because I'm now the Montakit Fuenlabrada coach, I can’t lead any National Team,” said the Argentine technical director.

On a press release, the coach penned: “It has been an honor and a great pleasure to coach the National Team and represent the Venezuelan people. I want to thank Carmelo Cortez, Álvaro González, Oswaldo Narváez, Paco Diez and all the people at the Federation for all the support I have received during this time. I also want to thank all of my technical team, with their first-class human and professional sides, and all of the players that gave me life and let me live the best moments in my career as a coach and as a person. I will take all of Venezuela with me in my heart. Hopefully time will bring us back together.”

The National Team, with Che in the lead, won two South American Championships (2014 and 2016 in Venezuela) and achieved a gold medal in the FIBA America Championship in Mexico —that got them their first pass in 24 years to the Olympic Games.

Che was adopted by the Venezuelan people since his arrival in 2013. For him and for the National Selection, his farewell is only temporary.

FIBA