Sept. 13, 2002

Los Angeles, CA (Sept. 12, 2002) - Pablo Machado, a center for the Loyola Marymount University men's basketball team for two seasons, played for his country of Venezuela in the recent World Basketball Championships held in Indianapolis, Ind., held from Aug. 29 - Sept. 8, 2002.

Machado, who played for the Lions in the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons, finished the World Championships averaging more than 14 minutes and 4.2 points per game for Venezuela, who finished competition with a record of 1-4.

The 6-foot, 10-inch native of Merida, Venezuela, finished the tournament hitting 75 percent (9-for-12) of his free throws and grabbing 26 rebounds. His best game came in the 13th place match against Canada, scoring 10 points and adding seven rebounds.

Machado, who graduated from LMU in 2001 with a degree in international affairs, finished his career at LMU averaging 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in 51 games. He transferred to the Lions' program in 1998 from Georgia Tech. In his career, he scored 553 points and had 394 rebounds.

He becomes just the fourth player in LMU men's basketball history to be a member of his national team. Richard Baker, a member of the Lions from 1953-56, was the first to play for Team U.S.A, joining the team for the World Championships in 1959. Pete Newell, who played for the Lions from 1936-39, coached the 1960 U.S. Olympic team to the gold medal in Rome. Hank Gathers was selected to play for Team U.S.A. in the 1989 Copaba Qualification in Mexico City.

- GO LIONS -

Venezuela ?(VEN)