Granger gives Uruguay a shot in the arm
MONTEVIDEO (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Uruguay have been riding a roller coaster of emotions during their preparations for the FIBA Americas Championship.
The national side hit a low when veteran big man Esteban Batista recently withdraw from the squad, citing contractual problems with his new club in China, but European star Jayson Granger has lifted the spirits of everyone by joining the team.
The point guard make Uruguay better on both ends of the court.
Uruguay here we go!!!!! Vamonossssss #montevideo #basketball #workhard #invierno #frio #friends #home https://t.co/RW856syFh7
— Jayson granger (@jaygranger11) July 20, 2015
Coming off his best season as a pro in Spain with Unicaja Malaga, Granger has signed a deal with Anadolu Efes in Turkey and is now with the national team, aiming to help Uruguay reach the FIBA Americas Championship Final to reach the Rio de Janeiro Games.
A third-, fourth- or fifth-place finish in Mexico City, where the tournament is being staged from 31 August-12 September, would earn Uruguay a berth in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).
"It's an honor to play again in the national team after all these years," Granger said.
I'm really excited and looking forward to this experience. - Granger
Granger last played for Uruguay at the 2012 South American Championship in Chaco, Argentina.
He has a lot of enthusiasm to be with Uruguay and is upbeat about the national team's future under coach Adrian Capelli.
"I had a conversation with Adrian Capelli and I'm convinced of the national team process and the project," he said.
Granger will log minutes at guard along with veteran Martin Osimani.
The experience of the 34-year-old Osimani, who has played for Uruguay since the 2003 South American Championship, will be important for the national team.
"I have to give my best, I will try to bring experience and control of the game," Osimani said.
While Uruguay have lost Batista, the team does have hope that Mathias Calfani will be able to log important minutes in the frontcourt.
Sidelined by a torn abductor muscle, he should recover soon and rejoin the team in training.
La única ausencia en el entrenamiento es la de Mathias Calfani a quien hoy se le realizará una ecografía. pic.twitter.com/jWJxKT7tHe
— Juan Pablo Tamborini (@jptamborini) July 29, 2015
I'm feeling better. - Calfani
"I have been doing strengthening exercises with the trainer," Calfani said.
"I think next week I will start doing basketball drills."
In Mexico, the Uruguayans will play in Group A against Brazil, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Go to fiba.com/Americas2015 for complete coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.
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