Despite having second thoughts, American Marcus Douthit said he was glad he made the right decision in trying out for a spot in the Smart Gilas national team.

“I felt like, this is the atmosphere that I would like to be a part of,” said Douthit after joining the team’s practice Thursday night at The Arena in San Juan.

Douthit has two weeks to earn a spot in the national team. The tryout involves training and team workouts and practice games.

The American seems to relish the experience.

“I mean all the guys get along. Everybody doesn’t care who scores, everybody passes the ball. Well, Hopefully I can get the opportunity to be a part of this. But you know whatever happens happens,” the 6-foot-11 Douthit said.

The 30-year-old Douthit said he likes his new teammates, who he described as totally different from his previous teammates when he played for Krasnie Krilya Samara in a pro league in Russia.

“As far as the team goes, I think everybody here plays together. The guys here are smart. The basketball IQ is pretty high. I like the way everybody covers together as a team,” he said.

“Nobody complains, nobody cries. They’re like staying together like a family. Everybody is so close together. My previous team, they’re always disagreeing, always arguing and crying. But here, nobody cry, everybody stays together.”

Because of his superior size and passing ability, Smart-Gilas Serbian head coach Rajko Toroman said Douthit could be a vital piece in their campaign.

“The most important thing is his team play,” Toroman said.