Amigo gets huge thrill with Argentina call-up

EL PASO (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - He was born in America and has spent his entire life there, but for Daniel Amigo, Argentina has never been far away.

The son of an Argentinian father, the 6ft 10in (2.08m) center Amigo, a rising senior with the Denver Pioneers in American college basketball, has been selected in the national squad ahead of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017. It's one of the highlights of his career.

"I found out on Twitter and was very excited to see my name on the list," Amigo said in an interview with the Argentinian Basketball Confederation website. "Honestly, I didn't expect to find myself there, but when I saw myself I was delighted. There are no words to describe what I felt at that moment."

It's easy to see how Amigo, who has played three years at Denver, came to the attention of Argentina after the season he just had. He averaged 15.5 points and 7.1 rebounds and was a Second Team All Summit League selection.

Even then, he had no idea that an invitation to the Argentina training camp could be his. Argentina have had some success with players that have competed in the NCAA over the years like Pepe Sanchez (Temple) and more recently, Patricio Garino (George Washington).

They (Luis Scola, Facundo Campazzo) told me that representing the country is a very big thing and takes a great responsibility.Amigo

"I grew up listening to everything about Argentina from my dad, about basketball, football (soccer), culture," Amigo said. "Although I'm far away, I feel close to Argentina, that's why I want to represent the team."

Amigo has already gotten a chance to rub shoulders with members of the national team, including 2016 Olympic stars Luis Scola and Facundo Campazzo. He worked out with them in New York.

"It was incredible," he said of the opportunity to meet Scola. "Since I was a kid, I watched the Argentina team with Scola, Manu Ginboili, (Carlos) Delfino. It was surreal to train with Luis in person."

Amigo says the experience of working out with Scola and Facundo was unforgettable, and that they spoke about the importance of the national team.

"They told me that representing the country is a very big thing and takes a great responsibility," he said. "It is something that demands very hard work. On those days we trained for many hours a day, it was so much fun and positive to be around them."

Anyone that has been around the Argentina players over the years has seen they are a fun-loving group. Amigo, judging from a basketball video that he is a part of in Denver, should have no trouble fitting in.

Argentina, the Group B hosts in Bahia Blanca, will take on the Virgin Islands, Venezuela and Canada.

Argentina are also assured of playing in the next round in Cordoba as the main organizers of the AmeriCup.

FIBA