Pitino Move Could Open Up Caribbean Talent Pool
When Louisville coach Rick Pitino announced last week that he would coach the Puerto Rican National Team during 2011 Olympic qualifying, Todd Washington was one of the first to applaud the decision.
Washington, a senior adviser to the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation and the son of Charlotte Bobcats co-owner Robert B. Washington, believes that this is the first of many Federations in the region that will go in that direction.
“In the last week I’ve gotten calls from several coaches who expressed an interest in learning more about the development of basketball in the region,” Washington said. “The Pitino announcement has really helped bring attention to the sport in this part of the world. It baffles me why more coaches are not spending time down here recruiting players.”