VEN - 'A divided situation' with NT coaching job unresolved

CARACAS (FIBA Americas Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Venezuela have yet to decide if Eric Musselman will be offered a new contract to coach the team again.

The American's two-year deal came to an end at this summer's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), when Venezuela made an early exit from the event despite serving as the hosts.

Venezuela Basketball Federation president Carmelo Cortez wants Musselman to remain in charge, but he has revealed that the coach doesn't have the universal backing from the squad that he led at the OQT this summer.

"We are in talks with Eric Musselman and (his assistant coach) Brad Greenberg," Cortez said.

"We want (former national team player) Carl Herrera in the team and we have to see how we incorporate him.

"I met with the players after our elimination from the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and there is a divided situation.

"Some want to continue with Musselman and others do not.

"That is a dilemma that we have."

The eyes of the basketball world will fall on Caracas for the second year in a row because in 2013, Venezuela will host the FIBA Americas Championship - a qualifying event for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Venezuela played at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan but then missed out four years later in Turkey.

"I want Musselman," Cortez said.

"I hope that the players think about it.

"We have to evaluate what is best for the team."

Cortez isn't sure when and where Venezuela will be when they prepare for the FIBA Americas Championship.

"The date of the training camps will depend on the starting date of the tournament," Cortez said.

"We are going to decide with the FIBA Americas, soon.

"We want two months with the team, but not with (players) Greivis Vasquez and Pepito Romero, they can join us later, but rather with those that will fight for a place.

"We want 24 players and we think that should not have more than nine warm-up games."

Meanwhile, one of the up-and-coming players in the Venezuela set-up is Jhornan Zamora, 1.96m shooting guard who was in the squad at the OQT.

He has just agreed terms with Spanish LEB side Palencia on a contract that lasts through December.

Zamora will then return to Venezuela and report to Trotamundos de Carabobo, a side he has joined on a two-year deal.

The Venezuelan league doesn't tip off until January.

FIBA