CLEVELAND (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Cape Verde missed out direct qualification for this year's FIBA AfroBasket, but Walter 'Edy' Tavares remains hopeful of playing at the 16-team event in Angola.  

As Cape Verde looked last month to secure one of the two tickets on offer for FIBA Africa Zone 2 teams for FIBA Africa's flagship event in August (19-30), the islanders lost 4 of their 6 games against Guinea, Mali and Senegal.

If we get a wild card, we are going to do everything to try to achieve our dream of winning the FIBA AfroBasket. - Tavares

And as a result, they saw their chances of returning to Africa's biggest basketball showpiece for the third straight time evaporate as Mali and Senegal grabbed the two tickets. They hoped to get one of the two wild cards, but those were awarded to Guinea and Rwanda.

However, in a turn of events, the Republic of Congo pulled out of the hosting rights of FIBA AfroBasket 2017, and in the process, were disqualified, leaving the door for one last ticket.

 
Tavares feels his country should be given a second chance to play at FIBA AfroBasket 2017

Although FIBA Africa are yet to confirm how that last ticket will be attributed, Tavares keeps his fingers crossed. The 2.20m center, who has recently joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, can't wait to make his first appearance for Cape Verde since 2013.

The 25-year-old explained to FIBA.com why he is keen to play at FIBA AfroBasket 2017. 

If Cape Verde get a wild card to play at the next AfroBasket, what would be your plan for this summer?
If Cape Verde get a wild card for the AfroBasket, I would like to play for the national team. It has been a while since I haven’t played with the national team, and I want to represent my country and give my best for the national team.

In his FIBA AfroBasket debut four years ago, Tavares averaged 8.1 points and 6 rebounds per game

What can we expect from Cape Verde if they get a wild card for the next AfroBasket?
We want to compete and have a great campaign. We know we can win a lot of games if we play at our best level. The AfroBasket is a great competition and we have a lot of ambition. If we start winning and getting in a good dynamic, everything can happen.

Do you have any plans to help develop basketball in your country?
Yes, I do. I send very frequently material, sneakers and basketballs to my country and I am going to start a basketball camp hopefully soon in order to help the kids of my country play basketball. I want to do my best here [USA] and help by giving back to my country trying to help the youth.

You are the most famous athlete from Cape Verde, the flag bearer of sports in your country.
I am very proud of it and that is a great way to represent my country. I am working hard to make my fellow compatriots proud of me and try to be the best example I can be for the youth.
When the Atlanta Hawks waived me at the beginning of the season, I decided to stay here to show people that I can play here. I want to show to my compatriots back in Cape Verde that I can make it here and show them that if they work hard, they can make it too.
I feel the support from my country all the time and that is an amazing feeling. It’s very important to feel a strong support to achieve great things in your life. I still have a lot to achieve in my life and my career, but knowing that I have my country behind me is a huge and positive influence.

Do you feel pressured by being the most important athlete of your country?
No, I don’t. I learned how to be a hard worker and also on doing everything to reach my dreams and my goals. People in Cape Verde are hard workers, and I am also like this. I have been working hard to get this opportunity to play in the NBA, and I won’t ever give up.

How do you see the progression of basketball in Cape Verde in the last couple of years?
I like how things are going in my country. The national team has been improving well in the last couple of years. We had some veterans retiring from international duties, but we have the talent to build a competitive team for the next couple of years. If we are going to FIBA AfroBasket, I am sure we can make some great games and have a nice campaign. If we get a wild card, we are going to do everything to try to achieve our dream of winning the FIBA AfroBasket.

Tavares' hard work is often praised by his fellow Cape Verdeans

You had a very solid season in the D-League with the Toronto 905. What did you learn from that experience?
I learned so much this season. I learned mostly how to gain confidence on my game and on how to be more efficient at both ends of the floor. Jerry Stackhouse, who was my head coach in Toronto, helped me a lot with his experience of playing in the NBA. I played an important role on the team and before I got to the D-League, I was not playing a lot of minutes and not playing in important games. It was very interesting and a great learning experience to spend those months in the D-League.

How much have you improved and learned about the game since you crossed the Atlantic?
I have improved a lot on my game and also I learned a lot as it has been a great human experience since I moved to this side of the Atlantic. I learned a lot in Spain and now I am just trying to grow and learn as much as I can to have a great career here. I feel way better physically, I know more about the game. I also read the game better now than before moving to the USA.

What’s your dream for the rest of the playoffs with the Cavaliers?
My goal is to stay here, do my work the best way and show them that they were right to make me sign a contract.
I am working hard in order to get an opportunity and show what I can do with the Cavaliers. I am trying my best and working hard to get a guaranteed contract too. I want to have a great playoff run with the team and I dream about winning a ring here. The Cavaliers are the current champions and I would like to achieve that goal of winning an NBA title in Ohio.

FIBA