Point guard Ronald Ramon has been called up by the Dominican national team to join the national team that will compete for a spot in the 2019 Basketball World Cup in China. Having joined coach Melvin Lopez Guillen's squad since last week, Ramon spoke with the Club's Official Website to discuss unforgettable moments representing his home country, as well as his current position on the team, as one of the most experienced players on the roster.
Official Website: You've represented the Dominican national team for many years. Tell us a little about your journey defending your home country.
Ronald Ramon: My first time training with the Dominican national team was in 2005. In the meantime, I wasn't able to represent my country for a few years due to college and an injury I sustained after playing in Argentina. So I'm proud to say I've been wearing the national team jersey since 2005.
The Dominican Republic national team has never competed in the Olympics. How do you view the responsibility of trying to ensure your country participates in major sporting events?
Our national team has never participated in an Olympics, but we have participated in two World Cups. I had the pleasure of being part of one of those teams that qualified and played in the World Cup. That's very rewarding.
What is your current role in the national team after so many years? How do you view the arrival of new players?
It's an honor for me to represent my country. I try to do whatever the team needs to do to help. Now, as one of the most experienced players, my main role is to help the younger players and lead so that the new generation can continue to take our country to the highest possible technical level.
You're originally from the Dominican Republic, but you spent most of your life in the United States, and now you've been in Brazil for quite some time. How does your heart divide between these three places, and what does each of them represent to you?
The Dominican Republic is the country where I was born. A country I'm very proud of. Every time I can put on the jersey to represent my country, it's a unique feeling.
The United States is the country that gave me the opportunity to grow as a person and an athlete. I'm very grateful for everything the United States has done for me and my family.
Brazil is a country that gave me the opportunity to pursue a professional career. I greatly admire the culture, so much so that my son was born there.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – Estácio, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Committee of Clubs (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources originating from the Pelé Law.