KRASNODAR (2016 Rio Olympics) - Every time somebody tells Victor Claver that it's nice to see him play at his full potential again, the versatile forward of Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar thanks them by smiling and nodding politely.

Claver has been doing more smiling and nodding in the past months than in the last four years combined, on a par with his formative years at Valencia Basket and Spain's youth national teams where he first showcased his impressive physical attributes.

The Spanish international is on course to complete the best season of his career, posting one excellent display after the other for the Russian team in all competitions.

Many did not expect this level of performances following a turbulent last year, which saw him ending his three-year stint at Portland Trail Blazers midway through the season and joining Khimki Moscow Region.

The turning point came at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 last September.

Claver had a rather testimonial presence in the group stage in Berlin, featuring for a combined 26 minutes in Spain's five games in Group B.

After the tournament moved to Lille however for its business end, the gifted 27-year-old forward averaged 18.5 minutes per contest, contributing 6.5 rebounds and fantastic defence in the final four games to help Spain win the gold medal.

"It helped my confidence, I think everybody on the team started the [club] season with confidence because what we achieved at the EuroBasket was great. It was hard at the beginning because we had tough games in the group. But I think when you have to work harder to get what you want, it tastes better. While we have players with enormous talent, our biggest strength is that we are a group. In tough moments we always stick together, we help each other. I learned to be ready to perform when the moment comes. I am trying to use that [experience] this season, to play and enjoy it." - Victor Claver

Claver also enjoys the fact that once the club season is over he will have the luxury to turn his attention directly to the next huge challenge for the European champions, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

"We saw the draw for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and, I have to say, I am happy we don't need to play those games and we're going directly to Rio. It makes a big difference, it gives us the chance to rest well and prepare better for the Olympics. Each one of us wants to be there, to have a good tournament. I hope we are not going to have injured players, that we will have the best team available so that we can compete and go as far as possible. "

How far will Spain's best take them this time around?

At London 2012, Spain and Claver were again the reigning EuroBasket champions and reached as far as the final, where they fought against a mighty USA until the dying minutes of an epic clash.

It was a repetition of the Beijing 2008 final, which had given Spain their second ever Olympic silver and a 20-year-old Claver watched on TV.

"With time, silver tastes better than it does the morning after the final. The gold is like a dream. Of course USA has the best team and the best players. We all want to compete against them, for us it has been a big dream all these years."

FIBA