CAN/USA - Rautins faces crucial summer

NEW YORK (FIBA Americas Championship) - Canada's 2010 FIBA World Championship campaign was derailed by injuries.

The team lost all five of its games, and one key man who was limited to just two appearances was sharpshooter Andy Rautins.

The New York Knicks guard, coming off his rookie campaign in the NBA, is going to be travelling to the FIBA Americas Championship in Mar del Plata knowing that good performances will help his country gain a spot in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and also boost his chances of staying in the NBA.

"I've been at the (New York Knicks) facility almost every day since the season ended, working hard up there," he said to Slam Online.

"I'm going to go out to L.A. and work out with Landry [Fields] for a little bit, at Athlete's Performance.

"And then July 15, I'm going to play with the national team for Canada again."

The summer in Argentina is a very important one for Rautins.

"Yeah, it's huge, especially considering the circumstances of next season; it might be up in the air," he said.

"It'll be a great way to stay in shape and get my game going."

Rautins went being a shooting guard at Syracuse to a playmaker with the Knicks.

When asked about the aspect of his game he needs to develop most, he said: "I think handling the ball, being at the 1 and getting comfortable there.

"I think I made a good transition this season, throughout practices and what little time I had during games, but that's definitely my main focus."

FIBA