ESP - Six NBA players in Spain squad

MADRID (EuroBasket) - The NBA lockout has had no impact on Spain's plans for the EuroBasket as Sergio Scariolo today named a full compliment of players in his preliminary squad.

Indeed, Scariolo has actually gone a step further by adding naturalised Congolese forward Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder to the core of Pau Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Manuel Calderon, Marc Gasol and Ricky Rubio.

However,they are without the retired Jorge Garbajosa, while Alex Mumbru, Raul Lopez, and Fran Vazquez miss out as the coach looks to add younger players to the group.

"The priority is to maintain our competitiveness, but there must be renewal and generational change," Scariolo said. "The average age of the team is lower, but the core of the team is maintained."

The coach paid tribute to the veterans who are no longer with the team.

"They are important players to be without," he said. "But in turn we bring new players.

"Jorge and Alex were two figures of great importance in the construction of the team."

Coming into the squad, along with Ibaka, are Victor Sada, capped once, and Xavi Rey, who is yet to make his Spain debut.

The addition of Ibaka is the most eye-catching, coming only 12 days after he was granted citizenship, but Scariolo believes he can make a big impact.

"He is a quality player with physical and athletic ability, and very promising technique.

"Along the way, we'll see what he can bring. He has improved technically to be in better shape than we expected, but now we have to see how he fits in the group.

"However, I expect to see him on the court because I don't see he will have a problem integrating into the group."

Spain squad: Juan Carlos Navarro, Felipe Reyes, Pau Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Manuel Calderon, Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio, Victor Claver, Sergio Llull, Fernando San Emeterio, Carlos Suarez, Rafa Martinez, Victor Sada, Serge Ibaka, Xavi Rey.

FIBA