Raul Neto: ''I would like to play this summer with Brazil''

CLEVELAND (USA) - Raul Neto is putting up his hand to play for Brazil again, if the team clinches a spot in this summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup,

Brazil can seal a spot in the 32-team event this month in the last window of the Americas Qualifiers.

"That is a goal and hopefully I'll stay healthy and play with the national team this summer," Neto said.

"I haven't been able to compete with the national team jersey on my shoulders in a while but I hope to be able to make it because I love my country and it's always an honor to play for Brazil at international level."

Neto last played for Brazil at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Neto's last appearance with Brazil was at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics seven years ago

Neto is right now coming off the bench in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging just under 10 minutes per game.

"I'm going to do my best this season with Cleveland, and I am doing everything to stay healthy and get my preparation going so I can fight for my spot in the national team and wear the yellow and green jersey," he said.

Only Group A leaders Canada (10-0) have clinched a spot in the World Cup from the Americas Qualifiers.

Brazil, second in Group B of the Americas Qualifiers behind the USA (8-2), host Puerto Rico (Feb. 23) and the USA (Feb. 26) in Santa Cruz do Sul.

It is one of four countries with a 7-3 record. Puerto Rico and Mexico are both 6-4 and third and fourth, respectively, in Group B.

"HOPEFULLY I'LL STAY HEALTHY AND PLAY WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM THIS SUMMER ... IT'S ALWAYS AN HONOR."

Neto is encouraged by what he has seen from Brazil.

"They've had a very good qualifying campaign so far and I'm excited to see them getting closer to this summer’s tournament," Neto said.

"They're 7-3 in a tough group, and I think that they've shown some fantastic things, some great plays and that they are eager to fight for every ball and to compete against the best guys and teams of the continent.

"I really do like what I've seen so far and am looking forward to seeing them have two very good games at home later this month so we can compete on the world stage again."

Neto says he's enjoyed watching the progress of younger players in the Brazil set-up.

"It’s great to see young guns coming up and getting responsibilities in the national team," Neto said.

For Brazil, that includes 23-year-olds Yago Santos and Didi Louzada. The two have played in Americas Qualifiers and at last summer's FIBA AmeriCup.

Louzada has the potential to make a big impact for Brazil

"They have talent, work very hard and deserve all the good things that are happening to them," Neto said. "They bring some new energy on both sides of the court, and they learn fast how to be impactful at international level. I am excited for them, and they have all the talent to be important players of the senior national team for a long time."

It will pay off for Brazil if they continue to trust younger players.

"It's important to have some new young blood coming in the national team," he said, "and to have guys that want to follow in the footsteps of the most experienced guys and give 100% for the country."

Neto, meanwhile, understands how big an opportunity it will be if plays at the World Cup, which will be staged in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines August 25 to September 10.

He was in the Brazil teams that competed at the World Cups in 2010, in Turkey, and in 2014, in Spain.

It was in 2014, Neto made headlines in a Group Phase win over Egypt and then a Round of 16 victory over Argentina. In the triumph over Egypt, Raulzinho had scored 14 points and dished out 10 assists while against Argentina, he made nine of 10 shots from the floor and finished with 21 points.

"Yes, that was probably my best game with the national team jersey on," he said. "It was unbelievable, unique, and I won't ever forget about it. I felt during that game that I couldn’t miss a shot, and I only missed one.

"When you're a competitive player, you dream about moments like this. You work hard to live moments like that. It was unbelievable, and it was even better because it was on the world stage with my friends and colleagues of the national team.

"I was super happy about it because my impact had helped us win against Argentina, which is always a tough team to beat. I hope to have moments like these with the national team again."

In a more recent meeting between the two countries, the FIBA AmeriCup Final, Brazil lost in a thriller to Argentina, 75-73.

"We all hate to lose and losing a final at home, against Argentina, is never something that we like to see happening," he said.

"It's frustrating to see the guys fight hard and do great and lose in the last game of the tournament, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I believe that the guys learned a lot from that experience, and that they'll come back better.

"This final at home was lost, but it’s only one battle. There are many, many more coming up.

"The guys will have that lost game in mind to prepare for the next window."

FIBA