Moreno aims for renewal of Colombian basketball at South American Championship

BOGOTA (2016 South American Championship) - Colombia will return to the South American Championship fully intent on starting a new chapter in the country's basketball history. There is a 24-player preliminary squad, with more than half of them playing abroad.

After an unusual absence at the 2014 South American Championship, the Colombians return for the 2016 edition of the competition.

The team will be in the hands of Guillermo Moreno, who has extensive experience, having started out as head coach in 1989 and also led them in 1991, 1997 and 2001. He also led the women's team in the regional tournament of 2005 and 2006, getting on both cases to the podium.

Moreno spoke to FIBA.com about his plans and desires and did not hide his happiness for the appointment, because "after ten years not being in front of Colombian teams is an honor for me to return again to serve my country. It will be a big challenge, because we did not have good presentations in previous editions, but I am confident we can change that fact."

The experienced coach notes that his intention are, immediately, "to be among the top five in the South American Championship, to be part of the elite teams of the region and to participate in the New FIBA Qualification System to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.”

However, Moreno himself said that "being among the best of South American basketball requires organization, sacrifice, commitment, discipline and teamwork from everyone in this project."

The Cali native, said the project will also look to "begin the renewal of Colombian basketball. Add new players, with another mentality. It will not occur overnight but we are determined.”

The list of 24 players summoned for the South American Championship, is highlighted by the pivot of the Pınar Karşıyaka (Turkey), Juan Palacios (2.03). Also appearing in the list are eleven players from United States college basketball. They are Tony Trocha (2,06), Hanner Mosquera (2,06), Yesid Mosquera (2,03), Brayan Angola (1.93), Jhan Paul Mejia (2.01), Tomas Diaz Jr (1,96) Hansel Atencio (1,83), Juan Aparicio (1,92), Andres Ibarguen (1,98), Yildon Mendoza (2,03) and Michael Moreno, who is 15 years-old.

"We passed a list of players and the members of the Colombian Federation are responsible for talking to them. We trust that they will attend this call, it would be important for the renewing of our basketball. Nothing better than to compete with the best Colombian athletes of today. To work with Juan Diego Tello Palacios would be very valuable, because he is an icon of our basketball and an international benchmark," said Moreno.

In the list there are several experienced players such as guard Edgar Moreno (1,89), guard Stalin Ortiz (1.93) and the pivot Jhon Hernandez (2.08), plus other interesting appearances such as forward Michael Jackson (1,96), guard Leonardo Salazar (1.80) and pivots Michael Hinestroza (2,06) and Beykar Agualimpia (2,04).

The coach expressed his desire to "form a mixed group, where we can gather the fire of the young players with the pause and experience of the veterans. We hope to have working time with the group and achieve the integration of a game style that can characterize us as with the strengths and skills of Colombian players."

The timing of the Professional Colombian League presents some difficulty for the preparation, but tournament officials backed the national team and decided to stop the competition for players to train for the South American Championship, which begins on June 26 in Venezuela.

Moreno said that his plans are to "start practicing on June 13 and play warm up games with Venezuela and Uruguay, as part of the preparation. One advantage is that the players participating in the National League will arrive in game rhythm."

FIBA