Puerto Rico coach Gonzalez nominates 24 players for U17 World Cup training camp
SAN JUAN (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018) - Omar Gonzalez nominated 24 players for the U17 World Cup training camp, including 10 players who finished third at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2017.
SAN JUAN (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018) - Omar Gonzalez has announced the 24 players who will participate in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 training camp, including 10 players who finished third at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2017.
Expected to lead the team is Andres Curbelo, who averaged 21.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.3 assists at the U16 Americas competition; and Luis Rolon, who collected 10.4 points, 3.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals at the continental tournament.
| Puerto Rico's 24-man preliminary squad for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 | |||
| Ramon Arce | Sebastian Astor | Fernando Caballero | Christian Cruz |
| Andres Curbelo | Diego Gonzalez | Jeremiah Hernandez | Isaiah Leblanc |
| Derek Luna | Sebastian Martinez | Jacob Medina | Jermaine Miranda |
| Xavier Pina | Rafael Pinzon | Luis Rolon | Diego Romero |
| Harry Rosa | Victor Rosa | Giancarlo Rosado | Misael Rosado |
| Tory San Antonio | Nate Santos | Jose Valle | Philips Wheeler |
"We want to have a competitive team for the FIBA U17 World Cup. That is why we chose these players - because it is a high caliber tournament," said Gonzalez, coach of the U17 team and director of Puerto Rico's national youth program. "However we will need several more training sessions before reducing the group to 15 players. We hope to make the cut for the second week of June."
The team’s practices have been running for two weeks with the group nominated for the FIBA U18 Americas Championship at the Aguada coliseum. The Puerto Ricans will leave for Argentina on June 23. They will play against Australia, Dominican Republic and Turkey In Group A.
"We are excited about this U17 pre-selection team because it is composed of a very solid and competitive group," said Yum Ramos, president of the Puerto Rican basketball federation. "We trust that they will make a great representation."
FIBA