June 14, 2007

FRESNO, Calif. - The right arm of Hector Hernandez shows his love for his home country. The symbol of an Aztec Warrior is tattooed on his right bicep, and Fresno State fans have seen that love over the past three seasons.

Now, Hernandez will be able to display his love of Mexico first hand, when he represents his country this summer in the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament with the Mexican National Team. Prior to the Olympic qualifying with the team will also try and qualify for the 2009 World Games.

"It's a great honor to be able to represent my country at such a high level," Hernandez said returning from his tryout. "I'm looking forward to this summer, being able to learn more about international basketball and being able to compete against such great competition."

Hernandez, who enters his senior season at Fresno State, has been a staple of the Bulldog program over his first three seasons. He has started 63 games and has played in all but one game in three years.

The Save Mart Center fans have created a routing section for the 6-9 forward, called "Hector's Homies", who appreciate every long range 3-pointer and his love for the game.

This summer the Chihuahua, Mexico native will embrace on his biggest challenge yet.

Growing up in Mexico, basketball is not the No. 1 sport of choice and it has shown internationally. Mexico hasn't played basketball in the Olympic games since 1976.

Hector Hernandez will face his first international competition in July in El Savador.

Hernandez hopes to change that this summer at the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament held August 22 in Las Vegas. The top two teams earn Olympic berths, but others could get another chance to qualify through a tournament next year.

In preparation for the Olympic qualifying, Hernandez and teammates will compete in a July qualifying tournament held in El Salvador for an invitation to the 2009 World Games. Hernandez leaves for Mexico City for training camp at the end of June.

Besides the international playing experience, Hernandez will also have the chance to play under former Arkansas head coach Nolan Richardson. Richardson was named the Mexican National coach in March.

"He is a really good coach, and he likes to run, push the ball and play pressure defense. It's very similar to the style at Fresno State," Hernandez said. "Coach Richardson has changed the culture in Mexico. The country is starting to get excited about basketball."

Hernandez went through three weeks of tryouts and then played in five exhibition games. The camp consisted of 24 players before being cut to the final roster of 12.

The national team camp took place in Juarez, Mexico, just three hours from where Hernandez grew up. But the excitement of the camp came when Hernandez and the team spent the final week of tryouts in his home town of Chihuahua. Not only did Hernandez get to visit his family, but a large group got to see him and the team play their final exhibition game in Chihuahua.

"This is a great opportunity for Hector to grow as a person and a basketball player," head coach Steve Cleveland said. "This shows how well Hector has been playing this past year and this summer. We are all excited for him."

Last season, Hernandez had his best year for the Bulldogs, starting 31 games and averaging 11.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Hernandez also finished second on the team in 3-pointers made with 76 and shot 41 percent from beyond the arc.