Toronto Raptors Guard Greivis Vasquez embraces role as Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games ambassador

Newly signed Toronto Raptors guard Greivis Vasquez will be holding a 3-point shooting clinic Saturday afternoon in Nathan Phillips Square as part of a two-day festival put on by Pan/Para Am Games organizers to mark the one-year countdown to Toronto 2015.

He agreed to be an ambassador for the games when his management team was approached by the organizing committee just after the Raptors were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs to end a captivating season.

"Winning helped all this, the playoff run was good for me and our team," said Vasquez. "There was a list of athletes they wanted to be involved with, my name came up and they reached out to the people that work with me. It was a no-brainer.

"I have followed the Pan Am Games since I was little, it is one of the highest level sporting events in the world. Being an ambassador, I want to tell people - "don't miss the games - participate in every aspect."

It is not surprising that Vasquez - a Venezuelan, was chosen as an ambassador considering his cache. Not only is he a potential participant (contingent on his native country qualifying for the Pan Am tournament) but he can also double as a face for the cultural celebration of the Americas that organizers hope to display through arts programming during the games.

"He loves Toronto and wants to showcase its uniqueness and especially its diversity to the Americas and Caribbean," said Fulvio Martinez, communications and media relations coordinator for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games.

Vasquez is itching to participate on the hardcourt at Toronto 2015. Soon after this weekend's festivities he will suit up for his national team (pending a medical) in his homeland which is hosting the South American FIBA championships from July 24-28 in Isla, Margarita.

The Venezuelans who rank No. 39 in the world and No. 8 in the Americas need a top-three finish at the tournament to qualify.

"I'm going back to Venezuela next week, hopefully we get it done," said Vasquez. "I feel with me or without me they will qualify."

As for the competition he will face later this month, Vasquez says that South American basketball has grown tremendously and is proud to be part of its surge forward which has been fuelled by the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program.

"The Hispanic community is growing in the NBA and the NBA is growing globally," he said. "They do a great job with the programs they have, it helps a lot of guys to reach their goals and get better so they can follow their dream like I did."

Should the Venezuelans advance to face the host Canadians at the Pan Am Games, Vasquez foresees a formidable challenge.

"The level of ball is get getting better, (you can see it) with two first-overall picks back-to-back," he said. "If you gather (the Canadian players) together, they have a great team. It will be very scary to play against those guys."

In talking with Vasquez - who just signed a 2-year, $13 million contract to remain in Toronto - his confidence is evident and one gets the sense he feels his stars have aligned since arriving in Toronto on Dec. 9 as part of a blockbuster trade with the Sacramento Kings.

"Right now things are working for me, winning a gold medal, or a medal - that would be good for my family and my kids."

As for the task at hand - heading to city hall to teach the masses how to go deep from downtown. Vasquez, 27, feels he won't be rusty, having started his training regimen about 10 days ago.

In regard to the rest of his duties as ambassador, he views it to be as simple as an uncontested lay-up.

"To show the world how great Toronto is, is an easy job," he said. "I feel people don't really know how great this city is. I want to send a message that (if you don't know about it) you are missing out."

Follow Neil Acharya on Twitter: @Neil_Acharya