Three former Denver high school stars are helping Mexico fight for its first men’s Olympic basketball appearance in three decades.

Francisco Cruz, Jorge Gutierrez and Hector Hernandez — all alumni of Abraham Lincoln High School — have led the Mexican national team into the semifinals of the FIBA qualifying tournament.

The trio combined for 38 points to lead Mexico to a 75-70 win over Iran on Tuesday in Turin, Italy. Cruz led the Mexican squad with 18 points off the bench, including 12 in the fourth quarter.

The former Lancers led Mexico with 43 points on Wednesday in an 86-70 loss to Greece in group play. Mexico will take on Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari and the Italian national team in the knockout semifinals Friday.

The Mexican team has been coming on strong since winning the 2013 FIBA Americas crown and earning its first Basketball World Cup qualification in 40 years. The squad included Gutierrez and Hernandez. Cruz joined the team in 2014.

If Mexico wins both games in the knockout round, it will gain its first appearance in the Olympics since 1976.

“Confidence is a powerful thing. I think they’re looking to build on what they did a year ago,” former Lincoln coach Vince Valdez said in a September 2015 interview with The Post. “Build on history for their country. … They’re putting Mexico basketball on the world map.”

Lincoln’s best

A glance at the three former Lincoln High School stars and what former Lincoln coach Vince Valdez has to say about them:

Francisco Cruz

Cruz, a 6-foot-3 guard, graduated from Lincoln in 2008, helping the team to state championships in 2007 and 2008. He played at Wyoming.

Valdez: “He’s a slasher, almost plays at his own speed. No matter how fast the game is, I never see him rattled.”

Jorge Gutierrez

Gutierrez, 26, the most accomplished of the three, helped Lincoln to the state title in 2007 before transferring to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., for his senior year. He starred at California, where he became the Pac-12 player of the year in 2012. He made his NBA debut in 2014 with the Brooklyn Nets and is now a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Valdez: “He’s the point guard, the distributor. He’s the only Mexican national who sees the best competition (in the NBA).”

Hector Hernandez

Hernandez, 30, is a 6-8 forward-center who graduated from Lincoln in 2004. He went on to play at Fresno State.

Valdez: “He’s a tremendous rebounder, very strong. Stretches the defense with his 3-point range.”