Manu Ginobili expects to represent his native Argentina on its national basketball team in the 2016 Summer Olympics, ESPN.com reported.
The 38-year-old Spurs guard made the decision Wednesday and called Argentine coach Sergio Hernandez to tell him he would be going to Rio de Janeiro. To put Ginobili's plan in perspective, Carmelo Anthony, who will be 32 at the time of the games, is the oldest player expected to play for the United States.
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"To say that Manu's availability makes me happy personally is to put it mildly," Hernandez said. "That is not significant. His was a very brave decision and at the same time very correct, from my point of view. He will be able to end his career with the national team at an Olympic Games. This is the most important news for Argentine sport at this moment. Ginobili is a symbol. Welcome, Manu. And now we shall enjoy this."
PHOTOS: Manu Ginobili through the years
In 2014, Ginobili told an Argentine newspaper there was a "98 percent chance" he would never play for the Argentine national team again. Hernandez said he never gave up hope Ginobili would change his mind.
Since 1998, he has played for Argentina in 98 international games. Ginobili led the team to a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics and a bronze medal in 2008.
Ginobili, who will turn 39 right before the games, is averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 assists and 2.7 rebounds this season.