Being named as a finalist for the USA Basketball National Team is an unbelievable feeling and an opportunity that is truly humbling. It is an honor to be included with such talented players and I look forward to the chance to represent my country this summer.

I told all the players I had last summer on the national team to look at their uniforms, they said 'USA' across the front. That's always something special. But it's going to be even more special now since chances are being taken away from us. I'm not going to give up hope that somebody is going to come to their senses on this.

I'm here to represent Team USA.

The national team comes before everything.

I'd give my life to be the national team coach.

Despite the situation in Cuba, I had a chance to play on the national team; and compared to other baseball players and other people in Cuba, I had the opportunity to live at a level that was not very high class but in the middle.