RIGA (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - All those veterans out there on the hardwoods of Europe should take note of what Janis Blums is doing just a couple of weeks after helping fire VEF Riga to Latvian league glory.

Instead of kicking back on the beach and having a few frosty beverages for an extended break, the 35-year-old Blums has decided to do something else.

"I'm at home in Riga running, swimming," he said to FIBA.com. "I never rest. I like to stay active."

If that's what it takes to stay at the top of your game, JUST DO IT!

Blums knows his body better than anyone else and if he needs to keep the foot on the accelerator in training to remain in tip-top shape and continue to be a force in basketball, so be it.

"Physically, I'm in better shape than I was 10 to 12 years ago," Blums said. "I try to take care of my body. I try to be very professional for each team that I play for, both on and off the court."

Blums is known for his daring drives to the basket

If Blums was among the best players on the court in the Latvian league play-offs with VEF Riga last month, it stands to reason that he'll be one of the most important figures for his country at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 in Turkey.

The captain of the national team, Blums is on the verge of playing in his seventh consecutive EuroBasket.

Latvia will face Belgium, Great Britain, Russia, Serbia, and Turkey in Group D and Blums senses for good reason this summer has the potential to be Latvia's best since he's been involved.

"There will be a lot of media, supporters and fans, spectators because (Kristaps) Porzingis and (Davis) Bertans will probably play and there will also be Euroleague players," he said. "But we'll need to be a team, not individuals. It will be very interesting how we build this team."

Latvia had a chance to do something special last summer at the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade after they defeated Japan and the Czechs in their first two outings.

That left them two victories away from a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games. Puerto Rico stopped them cold in their tracks, though, with a 77-70 victory in the Semi-Finals.

"The last few years we've played very well, this national team, but in every tournament, we have a bad loss," Blums said. "Maybe it's because we didn't have one main star but now, we'll have Porzingis and Bertans. I think with these kinds of players, we can fight for something we haven't had before."

Porzingis has had a couple of impressive seasons with the New York Knicks, while Bertans shone as a rookie this year with San Antonio.

After EuroBasket, Blums will return to VEF, whom he is contracted to for another season. Come November, though, he'll be back with Latvia when the national team launches its FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers campaign. They will take on Turkey, Ukraine and a team that emerges from the Pre-Qualifiers in Group B.

First up, on November 23, will be a game at Turkey. Three days later and Latvia will be at home to face the side that comes out of the Pre-Qualifiers. Blums is excited about the prospects.

"This is our goal, to get the ticket for the World Cup because Latvia have never played in a World Cup," he said. "We've always been close to an Olympics and a World Cup, but never did it.

"With this talent that we have now, everything is possible. But we have to show this on the court. First we have to play with heart, with emotion and as a team. Anything is possible."
Captain Blums relishes his time with Latvia's national team

Opportunity is knocking for Latvia. The Baltic side has very good players and when it's in its rhythm, it can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in Europe. These are the types of games that a player like Blums lives to take part in.

"EuroBasket and World Cup, it sounds more special," he said. "In the World Cup Qualifiers, it's a big challenge. But now, basketball in Latvia is very popular.

"We have two NBA players and maybe after this summer, we'll have some more. Basketball is growing up. In 1935, we were the first European champions so, basketball is again at the top and I hope it goes up more and more because we have very talented players."

FIBA