Argentine veteran Scola to stay on as three others quit

Argentina's national basketball team captain and veteran player Luis Scola has pledged to stay on with the squad following the early exit from the World Cup in Spain, despite the resignations of key teammates Pablo Prigioni, Andres Nocioni and Leonardo Gutierrez.

In an interview to Argentine daily Clarin, the 34-year-old Scola said he planed to continue to be part of the team, but not as captain, as the so-called 'Golden Generation' of basketball players retire from the national squad to make way for younger athletes, reports Xinhua.

"I'm here to accompany (the others), not to be the driving engine anymore," Scola said, adding that "it's time for others to take the lead".

Asked about his future in the team, Scola said "my legs ... will decide".

On Sunday, Argentina lost to Brazil 65-85 in the round of 16 at the 2014 Spain World Cup, which sports commentators were quick to note marked the end of the 'Golden Generation'.

The golden boys took Argentina to the top of the sport, winning gold at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, bronze at the 2008 Beijing games and fourth place at the 2012 London Games. At the World Championships, the team was runner up at the 2002 tournament in the United States, fourth in Japan in 2006 and fifth in Turkey in 2010.

The team's Emanuel Ginobili went on to play for the San Antonio Spurs, winning acclaim as one of the best foreign player in the NBA (National Basketball Association), while Carlos Delfino joined the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.