MURCIA (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Raulzinho already knows what to expect when he welcomes Brazil coach Ruben Magnano to Murcia this week.

The national team coach, who has just completed his travels to the United States to meet with national team players there, was due to leave for Spain on Tuesday to meet with the rest of his overseas contingent in the Liga Endesa.

"He will present the calendar of the Brazilian team and say what he expects from each of us," Raulzinho said.

"It's always a friendly conversation about the project and planning for the national team."

Magnano will also discuss something else.

He will look back at last year when Brazil played at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and consider the good, and the bad, from that tournament.

It was good that Brazil defeated their nemesis, Argentina, to reach the Quarter-Finals.

It was bad, however, that Serbia knocked them out in the next game.

Raulzinho, who had been included in the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup squad but did not play much, had a starring role last year.

The 1.85m point guard poured in a game-high 21 points in the Round of 16 triumph over Argentina, the team that knocked Brazil out of the World Cup at the same stage four years before.

Raulzinho hit nine of his 10 shots from the floor in their 85-65 win over the Argentinians, most of them jump shots.

After enjoying the thrill of victory, though, Raulzinho and Brazil experienced the agony of defeat in an 84-66 loss to Serbia.

Looking back on his tournament, Raulzinho was happy with his individual performance.

"I think I was very good," he said, "especially following the FIBA Americas Championship in Venezuela.

"I did not know if I would be called up to play in the World Cup."

Brazil lost all four of their games at the event in Caracas in 2013 and needed a wild card to take part in Spain 2014.

Raulzinho, who doesn't turn 23 until 19 May, has played like a point guard that gained enormous confidence from his World Cup experience in Spain.

He has been an essential ingredient for Murcia, helping the team challenge for a spot in the playoffs.

Murcia have 14 wins - just behind eighth-place Herbalife Gran Canaria.

It is always a desire to defend the Brazilian national team, but I also have other dreams. - Raulzinho 

The top eight sides clinch spots in the playoffs.

Will he follow up this season with another summer with Brazil's national team?

The player says he must first speak with Magnano, his family and his agent.

He will then make a decision on his participation at the FIBA Americas Championship in Monterrey, Mexico (25 August to 6 September).

One reason why he needs to wait before deciding to play is that he needs to see what the opportunities might be for next year regarding the NBA.

Raulzinho would appear to have enhanced his chances of playing in the United States with his performances at the World Cup, and since that event.

The Utah Jazz selected him in the 2013 NBA Draft and may want to bolster their backcourt.

"I try not to think about it," he said.

"I try to think step by step.

"Of course it's a great dream I have [to go to NBA], but I do not feel pressured.

"I will keep training hard for the day to get that opportunity when I'm ready to play in the NBA."

Go to fibaamericas.com/mex2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

FIBA