Florida guard Mike Rosario has made the 12-man Puerto Rico Senior National Team roster, sources told SNY.tv.
The former McDonald’s All-American from St. Anthony High School will compete for Puerto Rico in the 2012 Centrobasket Championship beginning Monday in San Juan.
That is the first step toward potentially qualifying for the London Olympics.
“I’m lost for words right now,” Rosario told SNY.tv. “I came down to Puerto Rico knowing that the challenge to make this National Team was going to take a lot of hard work and being professional at all times.
“I’m so happy because I’m representing Florida, my family and my character. I’m also thankful for my coach [Billy Donovan] giving me the opportunity to come down here to get better. Not only that but just to go for a dream that I’ve been waiting to come true. I’m humble and hungry right now and I’m not satisfied. I want more and more going into my senior year at Florida. I’m going to keep working hard and keep thanking the man above for giving me the talent that I have. I’m thankful for every last bit of it.”
In 2009, Rosario helped Puerto finish sixth in the FIBA U19 World Championship in New Zealand after scoring 24 points per game, highlighted by a 54-point outburst in Puerto Rico’s win over France.
UConn guard Shabazz Napier was impressive at the tryouts and was offered a spot on the team but felt discomfort in his right foot (which bothered him last season). He opted to return home to see his doctors so as not to jeopardize the college season instead of accepting a spot on the team, according to the UConn sports information office.
Fordham forward Chris Gaston did not make the 12-man roster, sources said.
