MEX - Prestigious honor for national team

MEXICO CITY (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The plaudits for Mexico's players keep rolling in following the team's unexpected run to the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship title.

Led by the tournament's Most Valuable Player, Atlanta Hawks center Gustavo Ayon, the Mexicans reached the Semi-Finals in Caracas, Venezuela, to earn a place in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Ayon and Co then won the tournament for the first time in their history, beating Argentina in the last four and Puerto Rico in the Gold Medal Game.

The latest to heap praise on the squad is Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto.

During a ceremony at 'Los Pinos', the official residence and office of the president, Nieto presented the 2013 National Sports Award to the team in the category of professional sports.

Nieto said: "On behalf of Mexico, I thank you for the passion you show when you compete and for the effort in each sporting challenge; you are a prime example of having a winning mentality, to believe in oneself and the great potential that every Mexican has."

The Mexico players who attended the presentation wore big smiles and heard a lot of applause.

The squad is going to be the center of attention in Mexican sports next year when it gets ready for and then takes part in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Twenty-four national sides will compete in the World Cup, which tips off 30 August.

Mexico last played at a FIBA World Championship in 1974.

FIBA