Pan Am Games a chance for Argentina's youngsters to gain experience

BUENOS AIRES (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Determined Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez is confident that the national team is going to have a successful new era, starting with this year's FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico.

The veteran tactician, who returned to the helm earlier this year for a second stint as head coach, has named his preliminary squad for the Pan American Games in Toronto, 21-25 July, with many up-and-coming Argentina talents included.

Among them are Nicolas Brussino of Regatas Corrientes and Franco Giorgetti of Penarol, players that have impressed this season in the Liga Nacional and in continental competitions like the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas FIBA.

There are also those included that have already been through the international basketball wars like members of last year's Argentina squad for the FIBA Basketball World Cup - Facundo Campazzo, Nicolas Laprovittola, Selem Safar and Marcos Mata.

The enthusiasm that moves me is that the players with more experience help in the growth of those youngsters that are in a majority. - Hernandez

National team captain Luis Scola is certain to be added for the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico and Carlos Delfino has expressed the desire to come back to the side after missing two years through injury.

Andres Nocioni of Real Madrid has also told Hernandez that he is available and therefore is likely to be in the squad that plays at Mexico 2015 and tries to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Games.

The two sides that reach the Final will book places at the Olympics.

Right now, Argentina want the less experienced players to get valuable minutes in the preparations and in Toronto, and Hernandez will then decide which ones are ready to line up at the FIBA Americas Championship.

Sporting director Juan Espil, who played for Argentina himself, said: "The fact of competing against the best will make our own players sooner or later will strengthen the Argentina jersey."

Argentina preliminary squad for 2015 Pan American Games: Federico Aguerre, Gustavo Nicolas Aguirre, Matias Bortolin, Nicolas Brussino, Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, Marcos Nicolas Delia, Pablo Anibal Espinoza, Tayavek Gallizi, Patricio Garino, Franco Nahuel Giorgetti, Nicolas Laprovittola, Marcos Daniel Mata, Pablo Martin Orlietti, Nicolas Richotti, Selem Safar, Javier Saiz, Sebastian Vega, Luca Vildoza.

Go to fibaamericas.com/mex2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship. 

FIBA