John Holland Returns to Puerto Rico National Basketball Team as Veteran Player

John Holland looks calm in his reunion with the Puerto Rico National Basketball Team and said that his role in the team is that of a veteran player.

At the age of 34, Holland meets with a group of preselected players, mostly young, to guide them in the World Cup with the experience he has as a former player, as well as in European basketball with stops in Spain, France, Russia and, even in Asia, in Philippines, where Puerto Rico will play in the World Cup.

“I’m just here to share my experience, the knowledge I have, helping guys in particular situations. That’s my role on the team,” Holland said.

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Holland has seen action in seven previous competitions for Puerto Rico, but none of those have been at a FIBA ​​World Cup. He did participate in the 2011 and 2015 American pre-Olympics. He also saw action in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers.

His return to the team arises after the controversy of 2019, when the player requested financial guarantees ($45,000) from the team administration to ensure his well-being in the event that an injury that he was trying to rehabilitate during his participation in the World Cup worsened. according to what he told the newspaper El Nuevo Día on Monday. That controversy cost him a two-year suspension.

Leaving that episode behind, the striker reported early to the 14-player preselection practices and has been a topic ever since.

The general manager of the National Team, Carlos Arroyo, said that the return of the player, who was always in contact with him, is an advantageous experience. He added that Holland did not ask for a financial guarantee this time.

“He becomes the veteran of the group. It’s really nice to see him back. Apart from what happened in the past, John is a person who has been committed to the team, to his teammates. He is an excellent person outside the lines. He has always communicated with me after the windows to tell me about the team and pending the players who are in Europe, ”said Arroyo.

John Holland was an important piece for the National Team ahead of the 2019 World Cup in China, but he was absent from the group when he made a financial claim that the Basketball Federation did not accept. (Supplied)

Technically, Holland was recalled to the shortlist as a team need to fill the vacancy of forward Gian Clavell, who underwent surgery in June after hurting his knee during the 2023 National Superior Basketball season. Holland himself was the one who called Arroyo to make his talents available to the National Team.

According to FIBA ​​data, Holland averaged 7.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game with the Puerto Rico jersey in seven tournaments recorded between 2011 and 2019.

For his part, the national leader, Nelson Colón, highlighted Holland’s experience above all.

“I find it very good. He is already a veteran player with big league experience. He understands the game and is an ace to complement the young players we have. He brings us the ‘I’ve been here and I know what to do, focus’ speech. He is a tremendous person, a competitor and in these four practices I have seen him very well”, he said.

2023-08-01 20:13:57
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