VALENCIA (Spain) - Spain will go into the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 Spain as hosts but Sergio Scariolo's team also will be under immense pressure as favorites. At the same time, the Spanish are looking for redemption after they were bounced from the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and failed to make the Quarter-Finals.
The Roster:
Scariolo knows just how big of a challenge his team faces in Valencia and called on a squad that features two absolute veteran leaders in 39-year-old captain Rudy Fernandez and 36-year-old Sergio Llull. Those two will pick their moments and you know they will be there if the team needs something done.
The Spanish roster also features the brothers Juancho and Willy Hernangomez, who were named FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Final MVP and tournament MVP, respectively. Both will be ready to help Spain get back to the Olympics and Scariolo will utilize them effectively.
The return of Lorenzo Brown will be important after he missed the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 with an injury after being named to the EuroBasket 2022 All-Star Five. The 20-year-old point guard Juan Nunez will be there to share playmaking duties.
The strong roster also includes NBA forwards Santi Aldama and Usman Garuba as well as defensive stalwart Alberto Diaz, Alex Abrines, Joel Parra and Dario Brizuela.
The Question:
The question is easy for Spain: How will Scariolo's men deal with being the favorite? It's as simple as that. The Spanish were highly regarded for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 but crashed out before the knockout stage.
Spain just do not perform poorly in many tournaments at all, much less in back-to-back events. And with those veterans on hand, it's hard to imagine Spain do not get through the OQT at home.
The Hope:
The hope is that Spain can rely on their veterans as leaders and the depth of established talent carries the team through to the Olympics. In addition to all that, Coach Scariolo's experience of being in so many big games will also make the difference.
The Fear:
Spain fans are so used to success that it's hard to think the team will slip up and cannot find the answers. But after the group stage, Spain must win two games in order to get to the Olympics. Maybe the pressure of playing at home and not missing the Olympics since 1996 will get to them.
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