The Argentine Basketball Confederation has named Nestor “Che” Garcia the new head coach of the senior men’s national team.
Garcia previously was the interim coach of Argentina in 2012 when they won the South American Championship.
He was also an assistant on the coaching staff when the team won the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship.
Garcia is replacing Sergio Hernandez who retired after 12 years of coaching the Argentine national team.
“Finally, it happened. This is a dream and at the same time a great responsibility, the biggest of my career,” said Garcia. “That is why I want to thank all those who have allowed me to get here and the trust of President Fabián Borro and the Board of Directors of the Confederation. And also announce that I will lead through listening, building, progressing, and surrounding myself with the best. A new cycle begins in Argentine basketball, but always respecting a legacy. I am very eager and excited to go for Argentina’s goal to remain among basketball’s elite.”
The 56-year-old coach began coaching national teams with Uruguay in 2003.
Garcia went on to coach Venezuela, winning two South American Championships (2014, 2016) and a FIBA Americas Championship (2015) which led to qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games.
He then led Dominican Republic to the 2019 FIBA World Cup where they made it to the second round, finishing with a record of 2-3.
In the coming days, Garcia will return to his home country of Argentina and begin preparations for the first window of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers that begin in November.
