University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Cardona Picked to Guide Chilean National Team
3/24/2023 3:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. --Â Southern Miss assistant coach Juan Cardona has been named head coach of the Chilean Men's National Team, per a release by the Chilean Basketball Federation.Â
"First, I want to thank God for this opportunity to represent Chile," Cardona said. "I also want to thank my family and Southern Miss for allowing me to coach at the international level.
"I am not only excited to lead the Men's National Team, but to also oversee the youth side of the Chilean Basketball Federation. This is a great opportunity to help grow the game in South America and see some of the best players that part of the world has to offer. I am eager to see how this can help expand Southern Miss' footprint in South America. We saw it this year with five international student-athletes, and I hope we can continue that here at USM."
He will guide Chile at the 2023 Pan American Games and through the qualifying process for the 2025 Copa America Games. The Puerto Rico native will also oversee the development of youth basketball in Chile while still holding his role as assistant coach with the men's basketball program.Â
Cardona just finished his first season in Hattiesburg and played an instrumental role in producing one of the best turnarounds in NCAA history. He helped Southern Miss rank amongst the top of the Sun Belt in field goal percentage defense (3rd), rebound margin (4th), scoring defense (3rd), steals per game (4th) and turnovers forced per game (4th).Â
Cardona is no stranger to the Chilean basketball system as he has tutored current Golden Eagles Felipe Haase (Osorno), Marcelo Perez (Talca) and Nico Aguirre (Castro). All three have spent time representing their county and will look to earn a spot with Cardona on the Men's National Team.Â
Click HERE for the release from the Chilean Basketball Federation.
"First, I want to thank God for this opportunity to represent Chile," Cardona said. "I also want to thank my family and Southern Miss for allowing me to coach at the international level.
"I am not only excited to lead the Men's National Team, but to also oversee the youth side of the Chilean Basketball Federation. This is a great opportunity to help grow the game in South America and see some of the best players that part of the world has to offer. I am eager to see how this can help expand Southern Miss' footprint in South America. We saw it this year with five international student-athletes, and I hope we can continue that here at USM."
He will guide Chile at the 2023 Pan American Games and through the qualifying process for the 2025 Copa America Games. The Puerto Rico native will also oversee the development of youth basketball in Chile while still holding his role as assistant coach with the men's basketball program.Â
Cardona just finished his first season in Hattiesburg and played an instrumental role in producing one of the best turnarounds in NCAA history. He helped Southern Miss rank amongst the top of the Sun Belt in field goal percentage defense (3rd), rebound margin (4th), scoring defense (3rd), steals per game (4th) and turnovers forced per game (4th).Â
Cardona is no stranger to the Chilean basketball system as he has tutored current Golden Eagles Felipe Haase (Osorno), Marcelo Perez (Talca) and Nico Aguirre (Castro). All three have spent time representing their county and will look to earn a spot with Cardona on the Men's National Team.Â
Click HERE for the release from the Chilean Basketball Federation.
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