Team Profile: Battle-tested Puerto Rico ready to return to top eight

MANILA (Philippines) - Puerto Rico are regulars at the FIBA Basketball World Cup but the Caribbean nation has not had much success in more than two decades. The Boricuas want to change that in 2023.

The Roster

Head coach Nelson Colon is missing two huge talents due to injuries - Gian Clavell and Jose Alvarado - but Puerto Rico still have a very strong team that should go into the First Round thinking it can finish in the top two. China, Serbia and South Sudan are also in the group.

Tremont Waters will control the team from the point guard spot and can even score at will.

George Conditt IV is a force inside and Isaiah Pineiro works well around the post as well. There is also Ismael Romero and Christopher Ortiz, who emerged as a key player in the American Qualifiers. John Holland, who helps the team in various ways, including being the veteran of the team, is back after an absence of several years. Phillip Wheeler is one of the country's top young players and should make himself known a time or two.

Head coach Nelson Colon and Tremont Waters

The Question

Puerto Rico will have a solid idea of where they stand when the tournament tips off because they set up a tough exhibition schedule with four of their six games coming against teams in the top 10 of the FIBA World Ranking Men, Presented by Nike. They lost against USA (117-74), Italy (98-65) but won a close one against Dominican Republic (93-86) after getting 22 points and nine rebounds from Conditt.

George Conditt

But can Puerto Rico finally make the next step? The Boricuas are making their 10th straight World Cup appearance, but they haven't gotten into the Quarter-Finals in the last four tournaments since finishing seventh in 2002.

The Hope

Puerto Rico finally make the breakthrough thanks to a strong and balanced team that has great chemistry. The country regularly produces excellent guards and this team has a couple of solid bigs with Conditt and Romero. Those two and the other low post players have received invaluable learning experience during the training camp from the country's legendary center Jose "Piculin" Ortiz, who played at five World Cups during his illustrious career of more than two decades.

Put it all together with their fighting spirit and team unity and the Boricuas will not back down against anyone.

John Holland last played for Puerto Rico in the Febuary 2019 window

The Fear

Puerto Rico's streak of finishing 15th or worse extends to five World Cups as the team can't find a way to live up to its potential. Opposing teams are able to slow down the Boricuas and Colon's men cannot come up with enough half-court execution. Puerto Rico are also punished with a lack of size depth as well.

Defense will be key for this team. Against USA and Italy in the friendlies, Puerto Rico gave up way to many points to have hope of competing at this level.

 IN THE LAST 10 FIBA EVENTS

YEAR	EVENT	LOCATION	ACHIEVEMENT
2022	FIBA AmeriCup	Recife (BRA)	5th
2019	FIBA Basketball World Cup	Beijing (CHN)	15th
2017	FIBA AmeriCup	ARG/COL/URU	5th
2015	FIBA AmeriCup	Mexico City (MEX)	5th
2014	FIBA Basketball World Cup	Madrid (ESP)	19th
2013	FIBA AmeriCup	Caracas (VEN)	2nd
2011	FIBA AmeriCup	Mar del Plata (ARG)	4th
2010	FIBA Basketball World Cup	Istanbul (TUR)	18th
2009	FIBA AmeriCup	San Juan (PUR)	2nd
2007	FIBA AmeriCup	Las Vegas (USA)	3rd

The Poll

 

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For a deeper look on Puerto Rico's journey to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, click here.

FIBA