Jorge Gutierrez to play for Mexico in FIBA World Championships

Jorge Gutierrez and Atlanta Hawks Gustavo Ayon will play for Mexico in the FIBA World Championships, reports the Mexican Olympic Committee and the country's media.

Last Tuesday, the committee released the names of  25 Mexican basketball players on the country's preliminary roster, including Mexico's two NBA players. Mexican media report the two have agreed to join their teammates in Mexico City on June 15.  Mexico was the surprise winner of the FIBA Americas Tournament last summer, upsetting Puerto Rico and Argentina. Gutierrez, a native of Chihuahua, Mexico who played at Cal, averaged 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists at the tournament n Caracas, Venezuela,

The tournament determined which teams from the Western Hemisphere would play in the Worlds which start in Spain on August 30.  Team USA, having won the gold in the 2012 Olympics, automatically qualified for the Worlds and didn't field a team. Mexico opens its quest for a medal on the night of August 30 in Gran Canaria, Spain, when it will face Lithuania, meaning Gutierrez will go up against Mantas Kalnietis, who played well in the Nets free agent camp.  Only one Net on the current roster, Andray Blatche, is expected to play in the Worlds. He'll play for the Philippines.

Gutierrez has committed to playing in the Nets summer league which begins July 5 in Orlando. Prior to the World Championships, Mexico will play in the FIBA Centrobasket tournament starting August 1 in Mexico.