PHILADEPHIA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Venezuela shooting guard John Cox doesn't know if he'll be in the national squad when it attempts to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, but he is certain of one thing.

The 35-year-old says that home qualification games under FIBA's new system of competition are going to be a boon for the sport in a country that has been making waves in international basketball the past couple of years.

Over a four-year cycle from 2017 through 2021, national teams will play regular home and away games to qualify for the World Cup and the 2021 FIBA Continental Cups.

"I think so for sure, that's a plus to have home games coming to Venezuela," he said to FIBA.com, "and especially for us because basketball is so important in the country. To have meaningful games is going to be big for fans because they’ll get to see the team more, and the sport."

Cox, who was born in Caracas when his American father, John "Chubby" Cox was playing professionally in the city, first suited up for the national side in 2012 when the country hosted the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

"I think what's happened the last two years with the national team is only going to keep the momentum going." - Cox

He was not in the team that hosted the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship but returned to the side for the Pan American Games in Canada in July of 2015 and averaged almost 18 points per game.

One month later and the 1.96m shooting guard enjoyed one of the biggest thrills of his career by helping Venezuela go on a run to the FIBA Americas Championship title in Mexico City, an achievement that sealed a spot in the Olympics for the Vinotinto for the first time since 1992.

He averaged a team-high 12.2 points per game and had 14 in the Semi-Final triumph over Canada that clinched a berth for Rio de Janeiro.

"I've spoken with the (Venezuelan Basketball Federation) committee about that a little bit," he said. "As far as participating, I don't know yet. I feel good but we also have some young players that can step in and replace the veterans and I just don't know."

Cox is glad he got to experience the Olympics this past summer. Playing in Group A, a major upset against the United States, Australia, France or Serbia was required for Venezuela to have advanced to the Quarter-Finals and they fell short of that.

They did, however, beat China to finish fifth in the group. Cox had his best game against the reigning World and Olympic champions USA, pouring in 19 points. That is one of the positive memories that he has of Rio de Janeiro.

Cox scored 19 points against the United States

"As far as the level I could play at, especially against the USA, them being the cream of the crop, knowing I could play on that level, yes I was happy," he said. "But I feel like I could have had a lot better performances throughout the tournament.

"I would have liked to have advanced but it was tough. For Venezuela to finish 10th out of 12, that was good. It was just good to help Venezuela get back to that level competition and go up in the rankings."

Venezuela climbed seven spots to 15th in FIBA World Ranking Men.

Cox received a little extra attention, as has often been the case during his career, when journalists in Rio asked him about being the cousin of Kobe Bryant.

"I'm comfortable with that," he said. "It's funny because when we scrimmaged the USA in Chicago, the people didn't know. I had always been asked after high school games and college games about Kobe. It was kind of cool that it flew under the radar in Chicago. But when we got to the Olympics, it got out but I don't mind.

"I wish he could have played because it would have been great entertainment. Kobe is one of the best players ever to play in basketball."

Cox plans on returning to Venezuela in December to suit up for Bucaneros, the team he helped reach the LPB play-off finals last season.

Before then, he will spend quality time with his wife, two young daughters and his father in Philadelphia. Chubby, who had brief stints with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Bullets before playing abroad, was a picture of good health nine years ago when he suffered a brain aneurysm. He now uses a walker to get around.

"Fans still remember him in Venezuela," Cox said. "He made it to the Finals when he was there."

Fans are going to remember the son, too. Cox has played a significant role in helping put Venezuela on the international basketball map.

"I think basketball in Venezuela will get even better," he said. "The talent is getting better. The league is a lot better than people know. It's really a tough league and you always get the imports to go there and I think what's happened the last two years with the national team is only going to keep the momentum going."

FIBA