Nicolás Borsellino and his passion for Uruguay’s National Team

MONTEVIDEO (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - His debut with Uruguay’s National Team was at the 2005 FIBA Americas. At only 21 years old, Nicolás Borsellino was under everyone’s eye because of two key aspects: height and dedication. Today, 12 years later, his desire to defend Uruguay’s jersey makes him one of the fans’ most beloved players.

His performance during the different tournaments was not always persistent. He was usually part of the shortlist, but was sometimes set aside and ended up not making it into the final team. You could tell when he was playing, and regardless of whether his performance was good or bad, people always wanted to see him.

Borsellino played a great tournament at the 2015 AmeriCup in Mexico, where he averaged 10.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. As usual, he was in at the last minute. Capelli, coach at the time, had Batista and Izaguirre under his consideration but both left the tournament. Borsellino, also known in Uruguay as “Tito”, didn’t make the list and, as a matter of fact, was a week away of taking the final exam to become a Public Accountant. The call came in and Borsellino didn’t hesitate to answer: “I remember I was about to graduate, but Capelli called me and I said, ‘I’ll be there this afternoon’, just in case he would regret it. I had already studied for the test, but I wanted to train with the National Team. I finally got my degree and had a great tournament with Uruguay.” His famous saying “a pico y pala”, literally meaning ‘with picks and shovels’, is a very Uruguayan phrase that defines him to perfection: in the end, hard work is what pays off. And Nicolás knows this for sure.

But the surprise came a year later. In the new period that began, Marcelo Signorelli didn’t summon him and he was not part of the team that played the 2016 South American Basketball Championship. It wasn’t another blow, for the Center’s excitement was far too great: “I was always so proud to play for Uruguay. I thought I would be part of the process since last year things had worked out for me in Mexico. So much so, that I planned my wedding outside the training dates and postponed my honeymoon so that I could focus on the Team.”

Anyways, all of that is history: “That’s in the past. I put it behind me. It’s part of the sport. What I’m certain about is that I’ll always want what’s best for the National Team, whether I’m playing or not. Besides, I could go on my honeymoon and I really enjoyed it. At least I got to travel to Europe during a good season; it wasn’t too hot (laughs).”

He wasn’t left out anymore and now he has another chance at the ball at FIBA AmeriCup 2017: “I’m thrilled to be here. This is the most beautiful thing an athlete can hope for. Especially because, for me, one of the key elements is to transmit to the younger players a sense of belonging; for them to identify with this jersey.” Nor was there unfinished business with the coach after that absence: “I have a very normal relationship with him, as I do with all the other coaches. He called me directly for this invitation and we talked about what his expectations were for me. Now I’m here, enjoying every minute with Uruguay.”

FIBA