Fabricio ObertoArgentina Basketball Federation president German Vaccaro is confident that his big name stars will be in Turkey for this year’s World Championships.

Vaccaro hopes that Washington Wizards center, Fabricio Oberto will be ready to put on the national jersey, but must wait on the results of a medical test on his heart before he is passed fit to play.

He said: “I saw Fabricio well. He told me he wants to play in the national team because it’s good for him. He has a medical test in May, for the issue of his heart, but he thinks there will be no impediments.”

Oberto had to undergo a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat, last June.

Vaccaro has confirmed that Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni and Carlos Delfino have made themselves available for this summer’s event, but is still waiting for Manu Ginobili to confirm his availability.

Argentina are in Group A, alongside, Serbia, Australia, Germany, Angola and Jordan.

Group B contenders, Brazil were given a huge boost, when Denver Nuggets center, Nene announced that he will represent the South American powerhouses in August.

“Yeah, I will play,” Nene stated.

“I know that’s an important tournament.

“I know I need to represent my team. The [NBA] season’s not done, but in my heart I will try to do my best for my country.”

Nene last played for Brazil at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, before being diagnosed with testicular cancer, which forced him into an indefinite leave of absence.

Elsewhere in Group B, NBA Commissioner, David Stern has announced his firm support for international basketball.

Speaking just after his NBA Europe press conference, Stern said: “The World Championship continues to grow and there will be a good competition in Turkey that will lead in to a good Olympics in London which will lead in to a good Championship in Spain in 2014.

“We are cooperating with FIBA on that as we have for many years and we hope to see the competition of national teams continue to grow.”

John Hobbs for talkbasket.net