The Belize Basketball Federation is getting ready for the FIBA Americup Qualifiers for the COCABA region that will be held here in Belize starting this weekend.
And, now, the Belize National Basketball Team is shaping up - and one of the main talents is Charles Garcia. The six foot ten professional player who has played in the NBA-D-League, and in leagues all over the world says he is ready to finally play for his parents homeland:..
Reporter
"You're finally here to play for Belize's national team. How does it feel?"
Charles Garcia, Player - National Team
"Feels good. Good weather. Thank God, you know? But, ah, feels good, feels good, you know. Been hearing this all my life, since I was 17, I'm 29 now and I'm just excited to be here."
"You know, everybody's looking forward to me for a long time, and my impact wanna be really great."
"My game, you know, I'm a big, obviously, they would like size. But, am very versatile, I can do a lot, I mean I can bring up the ball, I can play inside, i can play outside, I can shoot the ball, whatever you need, I can do it. One-through-five, that's how I feel."
"Overall, the outcome of the game and the performance, I'm going to play hard, I'm going to give it my hears, but I just, I just ask for the respect for my people."
Reporter
"Explain to me what's your link to Belize."
Charles Garcia, Player - National Team
"My father and my mother. My mother is on the Welch side of, you know, Theola Welch Garcia, my father is Charles Wayne Garcia. So, you know, the Welch here is pretty big, everybody know the Welch's. My father's side, Garcia, not too many, you know what I mean, but, ahm, it's good. Thank God for them."
Reporter
"Are you looking forward to connecting with family, eating some good home food?"
Charles Garcia, Player - National Team
"Connecting with family, you just took the words right outta my mouth. Connecting with family eating authentic rice and beans, oxtail, I need it all."
Reporter
"You're home."
Charles Garcia, Player - National Team
"Yeah, I'm hone. I'm home."
After the tournament in Belize, Garcia goes on to play in Japan.
TOMORROW, WE'LL TELL YOU more about the three-day international tournament. Belize will be taking on its Central American neighbors El Salvador and Costa Rica. Team Belize kicks off the tournament against El Salvador on Friday at 9pm.
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