That is the promise of emerging star Joaquin Gomes, who took his own game to new heights in Japan.

He spoke to FIBA after Angola¡¯s narrow 68-62 eight-finals setback to France about the team¡¯s experience in the Far East, and looked ahead to his and the team¡¯s promising future.

FIBA: Joaquin, defeats that end medal hopes are never easy, especially when you know you the team could have played much better.

Gomes: ¡°That was a tough loss for us against France. I didn¡¯t think we played well at all.¡±

FIBA: Your team appeared to struggle against the French because of their size.

Gomes: ¡°It was difficult the whole time. We tried to make some adjustmentsbut it didn¡¯t work out. I¡¯m happy, though, for me, my team-mates and for Angola in general because we had a great tournament. We showed the world we can compete at a high level.¡±

FIBA: Joaquin, you have really stepped up your own game since the Athens Olympics.

Gomes: ¡°Well, I think God for giving me this opportunity, but I also have to thank myself because I¡¯ve been putting in a lot of work and a lot of time, so this is like my goals are being realized. I feel like right now, I can compete against anybody. I¡¯m glad you asked me this question because it feels like an achievement for me, that you can see my work paying off.¡±

FIBA: The other African teams have improved with Nigeria pushing Germany to the limit in their eight-finals game, but Angola are still the kings of the game on the continent. Can we expect to see Angola be even better at the next Olympics?

Gomes: ¡°Next year, we are again going to be playing the African Championship. If we win again, we will be at the next Olympic Games.¡±

FIBA: What was the transition like going from former coach Mario Palma to Alberto Carvalho this summer? Was it smooth, in your opinion?

Gomes: ¡°For me, it wasn¡¯t very smooth at all. It was very difficult. I¡¯d been working with Palma since ¡¯99. It had been a long time, so I was really used to it. I was used to him, his type of defense and offense, so it was a big adjustment coming out here to play for coach Alberto. But as a professional as I am, you have to get used to it. Hopefully, everything went okay.¡±

FIBA: You spent last season playing in Holland¡¯s top flight and the year before, you were in Germany. What will you play this coming season?

Gomes: ¡°Hopefully, I¡¯ll get some offers of course but otherwise, I¡¯m going to go back home (to Angola) to play.¡±

FIBA: Looking back at your career, your time at Valparaiso, are you glad you played college basketball?

Gomes: ¡°I¡¯m really, really happy I played college basketball. Since then, I¡¯ve grown up a lot. The way that I look at basketball is so much deeper than six years ago or seven years ago and I thank God for this opportunity.¡±