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31 August, 2017
17 September
10 Kyrie Irving (USA), 6 Sergio Rodriguez (ESP)
15/05/2017
News
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Rodriguez ready to pull the strings again for Spain

PHILADELPHIA (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Sergio Rodriguez believes Spain will have less distractions and better focus this summer when they go after a fourth European title since 2009.

The team's Olympic preparations were disrupted last year as players had to negotiate contracts with NBA teams, including Rodriguez with Philadelphia.

"Last year I lost half of the training camp because of the negotiating of the contract (with Philadelphia)," he said to EFE, "but it's beautiful to be with the national team and to try to realize more dreams."

Rodriguez has had a roller-coaster career with Spain. The Most Valuable Player of the 2004 U18 European Championship, Rodriguez rose to prominence quickly by making the senior team and playing an important role off the bench at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006 in Spain.

It (EuroBasket 2017) will be a difficult tournament because it will have a high level. Any team can complicate your lifeSpain's Sergio RodriguezSpain's Sergio Rodriguez

The point guard, and Rudy Fernandez, were two of the team's most explosive players in Japan and helped Spain capture the world title.

Dropped after a second-place finish at FIBA EuroBasket 2007 while he struggled to establish himself in the NBA, Rodriguez returned to the national side five years later and did well in London as Spain reached the Final.

An important member of the roster ever since, Rodriguez and Fernandez reminded everyone of their one-two punch of 2006 when they played at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.Rodriguez was sensational at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 and was named to the All-Star Five after Spain captured the crown.


Rodriguez is a bearded wonder for Spain

He averaged 8 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game last summer in Rio and scored the final two points from the free-throw line in Spain's Bronze Medal Game triumph over Australia.

Rodriguez had 11 points and 5 assists in that contest - the same numbers he finished with in the 82-76 defeat to USA in the Semi-Finals.

After returning to the NBA and playing for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, Rodriguez is champing at the bit to put on the Spain jersey again, which he'll do when they compete in Group C against Croatia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Montenegro and hosts Romania in Cluj-Napoca.

"I would like to go to EuroBasket," he said. "To represent Spain in a European Championship is something that you're not able to pass up on. I hope to be there and that we win a title. It will be a difficult tournament because it will have a high level. Any team can complicate your life.

"We have a great level, a lot of talent with experience and the will to do things well and we have to see things with optimism."

FIBA