Ginobili could play in 2014 basketball World Cup

Buenos Aires, July 5 (IANS)

Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs.

Argentine basketball player Manu Ginobili, gold-medal winner in Athens 2004, said he will play in the 2014 Spain World Cup if he is in good physical condition.

“If I am in good shape, there are more chances that I will play the World Cup,” said Ginobili in a press conference at Buenos Aires’s Ezeiza international airport Thursday, minutes after his arrival to Argentina for holidays, reports Xinhua.

Ginobili, 35, added that “it depends, exclusively, on my physical condition. I had a complicated season. If I am healthy, there are more chances I can play (the World Cup)”, he insisted.

The Argentine basketball player, currently with the United States team San Antonio Spurs, which lost the final against two-time champions Miami Heat, said that if the next season is like the one he recently finished “it will be difficult”.

“I had many strains and this psychologically affects. As time goes by I will see my progress and will take a decision,” he said.

Ginobili announced Wednesday that he signed an agreement to continue for two more years with San Antonio Spurs.

“I am very happy to be in the country again. The season was very long, more than it is regular, but it is worth it,” he said.

The athlete, born in Bahia Blanca, in the province of Buenos Aires, is part of the “Golden Generation” of Argentine basketball who won the gold medal in Athens 2004, bronze medal in Beijing 2008 and placed fourth in London 2012.

In Indianapolis 2002 World Cup, Argentina were runners up; in Japan 2006 fourth and in Turkey 2012 fifth.