Garino Named to Argentina Olympic Basketball Roster
7/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Former GW star Patricio Garino has earned a spot on the Argentina Olympic basketball roster for next month's games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The 6-foot-6 swingman will be making his first Olympic appearance after playing a key role at the FIBA Americas last summer, in which Argentina finished runner-up in to secure their berth to Rio. Garino was fourth on the team with 7.7 points per game while shooting 42.1 percent from three-point range.
Sergio Hernández confirmo los 12 para los Juegos OlÃmpicos de RÃo de Janeiro https://t.co/Uap6XyAc9j pic.twitter.com/pcuAq5Y7EO
-- CABB (@cabboficial) July 16, 2016
Though making his first appearance, Garino will be part of a veteran Argentina squad looking for its third Olympic medal in the last four games, having won gold in 2004 and bronze in 2008, followed by a fourth-place finish in 2012. Manu Ginobli, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni and Carlos Delfino all helped Argentina to Olympic gold in 2004 and will play alongside Garino in Rio.
The selection continues a busy couple of months for Garino, who after graduating from GW in May began workouts for a number of NBA teams, and played for the Orlando Magic in their summer league. He is now working out with his fellow countrymen in Las Vegas where the team is playing friendlies against Nigeria and USA in preparation for Rio.
Garino is set to become the second GW alum to play basketball in the Olympics, joining Pops Mensah-Bonsu who represented Great Britan in the 2012 London games. Argentina is set to open play in Rio on Sunday, Aug. 7 at 9:30 p.m. ET vs. Nigeria.
