The San Antonio Spurs regular season may be coming to a fast close and the playoffs set to begin but that hasn't stopped Tiago Splitter from eyeing the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Brazilian national team.
Splitter already has met with Brazil's coach Rueben Magnano (via Brazilian site Gaz.com) on the make up of the team and plans for the World Cup in Spain.
"It was a very fruitful discussion and as always Tiago showed up ready to defend the Brazilian national team. The important thing is that we already have all the detailed planning for the men's team, main players and the new one," said Magnano.
Splitter and Brazil qualified for the 2012 Olympics but fell to Manu Ginobili and Argentina in the opening round 77-82.
However, with Splitter coming back to represent his country and hopefully commitments from Anderson Varejao, Nene, Alex Garcia and Leandro Barbosa, Team Brazil will look pretty strong in Spain at the World Cup. Something which makes Tiago confident about the team's chances.
"This kind of talk is always positive and his presence shows the seriousness of planning CBB. After the London Games, it increases our responsibility and we will do everything to qualify Brazil at the World Cup in Spain in 2014," said San Antonio Spurs player, leading the Western Conference in the NBA.
At the 2010 FIBA World Cup, Brazil finished ninth overall (3-3) with the USA going 9-0 en route to winning the gold medal.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup will take place in 2014 in Spain and will run from August 30-September 14.