Dominican Republic roster
Edgar Sosa
Rigoberto Mendoza
Kelvin Pena
Luis Flores
James Feldeine
Victor Liz
Manny Fortuna
Ronald Ramon
Orlando Sanchez
Gerardo Suero
Juan Miguel Suero
Dago Pena
Francisco Garcia
Eulis Baez
Eloy Vargas
Juan Jose Garcia
Edward Santana
Kenny Atkinson has his hands full these days.
The Hawks assistant coach was named to lead the Dominican Republic national team earlier this year and the unit is now preparing for the upcoming FIBA Americas tournament that begins at the end of the month.
Take one day last week with the Dominican Republic team in Atlanta for a training camp. Atkinson watched film with the group in the morning. He then spent one-on-one-time time working out current Hawks players Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague. Finally, he led the Dominican team’s scrimmage against a New Jersey semipro team.
The team will wrap up camp this weekend and go to the Dominican Republic to work out in a stint that coincides with the NBA and FIBA’s first-ever Basketball Without Borders trip to the country. Next is the four-game Tuto Marchand Cup in Puerto Rico Aug. 24-27. Ultimately, the preparation will lead to the FIBA Americas tournament Aug. 31-Sept. 12 in Mexico with a berth in the 2016 Olympics at stake.
The Dominican Republic is a long shot for the Olympics with Francisco Garcia as the only player on the roster with any NBA experience. Atkinson is thinking long-term with building a program.
“I swear we haven’t even talked about (an Olympic berth),” Atkinson said. “I really want to establish us as a really good program and make it more appetizing for players to play, even young NBA players eventually. Show the federation and the people around it that we are running a good program. I’m thinking long term for this. We are building. It’s the same philosophy as with the Hawks. We are building our habits, getting better.”
The Dominican Republic does have players who play at a high level in Europe. Atkinson noted the current 17-player roster, which must be trimmed to 12 by the FIBA tournament, has Edgar Sosa (Italy), James Feldeine (Italy) and Eulis Baez (Spain). Baez played in Gran Canaria with the Hawks’ Edy Tavares.
Atkinson spent time in the Dominican Republic watching league games and added several players to the roster from the scouting. He also watched video of previous players and games to get an idea of things to add and delete in his tenure.
“I retired last year and I talked to coach,” said Garcia, who played 10 seasons with the Kings and Rockets. “I wanted to do it one more time for my country and to try to go to the Olympics. Why not? … We have a lot of young guys who still have to learn how to play the game but we are getting there. We’ve got a good group.”
Atkinson is being assisted by several current and former Hawks staffers including Jordan Ott and Vince Legarza.
Atkinson said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer and the organization have been supportive in his endeavor.
“I’m installing a new program – from player development, to tactics,” Atkinson said. “It’s kind of the reason they brought me in. We are adapting a lot of the things we do with the Hawks, things that have been successful here.”
