CARACAS (2016 Rio Olympics) - It's still sinking in for Venezuela coach Nestor 'Che' Garcia.

His players, the ones that few outside of the country expected to do well at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City, reached the Final to qualify for next year's Olympics in Brazil.

Then, for the first time in their history, Venezuela captured the title.

Yes, Venezuela, the team that had no NBA stars, a team without injured players and not many recognizable names, is headed to Rio de Janeiro.

"It's something that means a lot to us," Garcia said.

"We are still trying to absorb what we accomplished."

No one will forget the performances in Mexico, especially the last two, the wins over Canada and Argentina.

No one will forget Garcia running around the court in a state of ecstasy after his team booked a spot in next year's Olympics.

After returning to Venezuela, where Garcia, an Argentinian, has been the national team coach since 2013, the fans have constantly reminded him of the achievements.

He was invited to throw out the first pitch of a professional baseball game in the country, a clash between the Cardenales (Cardinals) and the Tiburones (Sharks).

He was granted a reception at the office of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, who presented him and the players with the Order of the Francisco de Miranda, an honor created to recognize Venezuelan citizens and foreigners that have contributed to the sciences, to the progress of the country, to the humanities or who have exemplified outstanding merits.

Garcia and the players also gave President Maduro something, a basketball with all of their signatures.

Everywhere Garcia goes, and everywhere his players go, they are heroes.

The displays of affection have been amazing. - Garcia

"I had expected a great reception all over the country but this has surpassed it," Garcia said.

Venezuela certainly surpassed expectations in Mexico City.

Greivis Vasquez of the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to play and big man Gregory Echenique was among those to get hurt during the preparations and withdraw.

When Venezuela competed at the Pan American Games in Toronto, they won just one of their four contests, a battle for seventh place against Mexico on 24 July.

They had five weeks to get better.

After arriving in Mexico City, a spot in one of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs) to be played in 2016 seemed to be the best Venezuela could hope for.

They lacked flair and size, yet made up for it with an abundance of grit, especially on defense.

Garcia said in an interview with El Universal: "We had to make up for a lack of height.

"In other words, we focused on becoming more aggressive on the perimeter and we improved a lot on the rotations. 

"We did not want them to reach the basket quickly, or to shoot three-pointers.

"In order for that, you have to be very tactical and aggressive.

"We knew that we had no players to block shots, but our idea was to generate a strong defense to confuse from man to man and the rotations. 

"It was an incredible effort by the players."

Venezuela battled.

They scrapped.

They fought their way into the Semi-Finals and then upset Canada in a 79-78 thriller before defeating Argentina, 76-71, in the title game.

A team of no-hopers had come up with the two biggest shocks in international basketball in 2016.

"We were thinking that after the tournament, we were going to start planning for the repechage [an OQT] but now we have to prepare differently," Carmelo Cortez, the President of the Venezuelan Basketball Federation, said.

"[But] We are going to compete against the 11 best teams of the world in Rio.

"There are no words to describe the courage and the effort put forth by our team."

FIBA