BROOKLYN (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Despite being heavy underdogs, Mexico took the world by surprise when they won their first title at last summer's FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, Venezuela.

By defeating some continental giants such as Argentina, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, the team coached by Sergio Valdeolmillos also qualified for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Led by tournament MVP and Atlanta Hawks power forward/centre Gustavo Ayon, Mexico displayed a great team spirit and a solid defensive unity game after game.

Alongside the big men, one of the defensive pillars was current Brooklyn Nets undrafted rookie Jorge Gutierrez.

The former California University and PAC-12 Player of the Year in 2012 joined the NBA team last March after playing two seasons for the Canton Charge in the NBA Development League.

Having featured in 15 regular season games for the veteran-laden Nets, the Chihuahua native averaged 4.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists 16.3 minutes per contest.

Gutierrez - a member of the NBDL's All-Defensive First Team in 2013 and 2014 - competed in his first international tournament with Mexico last year. As the starting point guard in the team's championship run, he averaged 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

With Ayon's availability for Spain 2014 questionable because of a shoulder injury, Gutierrez will be one of the players to follow for Mexico as they return to FIBA's flagship event for the first time in 40 years.

The playmaker is currently involved in Brooklyn's Eastern Conference Semifinals playoff series against the Miami Heat, with the Nets on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-1 in the series heading into Wednesday's Game 5 in Miami.

FIBA.com caught up with Gutierrez to talk about his season and looking ahead to re-joining the national team.

FIBA: You started your NBA career less than three month ago. How do you feel about the experience so far?
Gutierrez: I am a very happy man. I have always dreamed of playing in the NBA and after working hard for some much years, I finally made it. I feel lucky to be playing with some of the best players of the league and with future Hall-of-Famers such as Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. I am still getting adjusted to the game, but I want to be a solid player in this league. The Brooklyn Nets are giving me the opportunity to do so and I want to show them that they were right to sign me.

FIBA: The team is one loss away from being eliminated by the Miami Heat.
Gutierrez: Losing the last game was a huge disappointment because we know that we had opportunities to win it and even the series. We need to look forward and keep believing in ourselves. Winning the next three games is our only choice. Miami is an extraordinary team but we also have a lot of great players. We can do it. Nobody on the team wants the season to finish this week.

FIBA: You were part of the team that made history last summer by winning the 2013 FIBA Americas championship. What do you remember from that incredible performance?
Gutierrez: I will never forget the joy that this title brought to my life. It is the best moment of my career so far. Everyone did his best for the team and I think that we showed that Mexico has talented players. The key of our success was that our group of players was united and that we played as a team during the whole tournament. Every game was a battle and we fought like soldiers against the best teams of the continent. I am proud to be part of the team that wrote the most beautiful page of the history of Mexican Basketball.

FIBA: At Spain 2014, Mexico will be in Group D alongside Australia, Slovenia, Angola, Korea and Lithuania.
Gutierrez: Our group is very interesting. We are going to play against teams that play different kinds of basketball and we are going to do our best in order to make our fans proud of us. We want to show that we were not just a "summer sensation". We want to affirm our progression by having a great tournament this summer. The national team is going to play with the same passion as we did in Venezuela last year.

FIBA: Are you going to play in Spain this summer?
Gutierrez: Yes, it is one of my goals for this year. Playing in such an important competition is incredible. For now I am focused on the NBA season, but I am really looking forward to join my teammates and start the training camp for the World Cup.

FIBA