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Quote:Angola have decided to keep the national team reins in the hands of Luís Magalhães until the end of Afrobasket 2011.



The African champions made the decision over the weekend and Magalhães wasted no time in naming a provisional 18-man squad for this year’s FIBA World Championship.



To the surprise of many, the coach included 39-year-old veteran point guard Miguel Lutonda, along four young newcomers.



Lutonda retired from international duty in 2007 to fully focus on his career with Angolan champions 1º de Agosto, the club side which is led by Magalhães.



“I have invited him personally to help us in this international mission as Armando [Costa] is injured,” Magalhães said to FIBA.com, adding that the two-time African MVP Lutonda “accepted it immediately.”



A combination of experience and new talent is what Angola need to find success in Turkey 2010, according to the Mozambique-born Portuguese coach.



Magalhães, who steered the Angolans to their 10th Afrobasket gold medal last year in Libya, has newcomers Yanick Moreira, Roberto Fortes, Miguel Kiala and Paulo Barros with each, according to the coach, in “good position to make it to the final squad.”



“These youngsters are talented,” Magalhães said. “They have good a physique and are eager for international competition.”



Angola will play in a very tough Group A at the FIBA World Championship against Argentina, Serbia, Australia, Germany and Jordan.



Dirk Nowitzki wasn’t named in the German squad for the first phase of their national team training and Magalhães admits he won’t be said if the Dallas Mavericks seven-footer stays away.



Four years ago in Japan, Nowitzki led the Germans to an incredible triple overtime win over the Angolans in the Preliminary Round.



“If he really does not join the team, it is good news for us,” Magalhães said.



“Everyone knows his worth.”



Some of the other NBA players like France’s Tony Parker and Spain’s Pau Gasol have decided to rest this summer as well, depriving the world of two of basketball’s biggest stars.



“Clearly, if some NBA players do not come to the tournament we cannot expect the same level of quality, can we?” he said.



“Those players perform at high level all season, though, so it is understandable that they need some rest. Look at Gasol's example.”



Gasol just helped the Lakers win the NBA title for the second year in a row.



Magalhães will this summer have a chance to go up against Mario Palma, the former Angola coach.



Palma is now at the helm of Jordan.



“We have a good friendship,” Magalhães said.



“I have faced Mário many times. Against him I have already lost and won.



“But I want him to lose against us in Turkey.”



Magalhães will be assisted by former Angolan captain Paulo Macedo and Walter Costa.

Angola 18-man squad:



Miguel Lutonda

Carlos Almeida

Felizardo Ambrósio

Vlademir Ricardino

Kikas Gomes

Felipe Abraão

Yanick Moreira ( all 1º de Agosto)

Domingos Bonifácio

Carlos Morais

Olímpio Cipriano

Leonel Paulo ( all Libolo)

Divaldo Mbunga

Eduardo Mingas

Roberto Fortes

Miguel Kiala ( all Petro de Luanda)

Paulo Barros (Promade de Cabinda)

Simão Santos (ASA)

Valdelicio Joaquim (US college).