Gary Forbes FIBA Americas Diary: Week 1

Denver Nuggets forward Gary Forbes is currently in his home country of Panama, training with the national team for the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship in Argentina, which is slated to begin next Tuesday. The tourney is crucial for Panama in realizing their hopes of qualifying for the 2012 London Summer Olympics. Forbes has joined the SLAM team as a guest writer and will be blogging live from South America for the next three weeks – providing exclusive photos and coverage of his experiences. – Franklyn Calle

What’s going on everybody, hope everyone is feeling blessed!

If you don’t know me, I’m Gary Forbes, shooting guard for the Denver Nuggets, I am currently in my birth home of Panama representing the country in the upcoming FIBA Americas tournament taking place in Argentina.

I would love for you guys to follow me on my journey while Team Panama and myself try to obtain a spot in next years Olympic games. Now that I think about it that would be an amazing feeling. Well I’m here in Panama as we speak and it has been a fun experience being back here. The team and myself have been practicing together now for about 10 days and I am happy to say that we are moving in the right direction.

Today was especially an emotional but humbling experience as I went back to the city of Colón where I was born before I moved to Brooklyn, NY when I was about 4 years old. I visited the hospital where I was born and my old neighborhood. It was good to see where I came from, a place that is in my heart and that I will never forget. I was able to see family members and friends of the family who are all proud of my achievements that I accomplished.

All in all, it was a great day for me, and I’m glad I got to see the “crib” as I would call it. It’s getting kind of late over here, currently watching Family Guy in Spanish. I need to brush up on my bilingual trait. Hasta la próxima vez which means Until next time.

Carpe Diem Everybody!!!!!!