2023-08-23 21:23:08
Of the twelve players from the national team who have landed in Jakarta, only one, one of the most important for Scariolo, is without a team. It is Usman Garuba who, before traveling to the Indonesian capital, received notification from the Oklahoma City Thunder that they no longer have him. “I’m going to prove everyone wrong. Mark my words,” said the power forward on social networks. After 48 hours have passed since the communication from the franchise, Garuba is already a free agent. His first intention is to continue in the NBA. The return to Europe is something secondary… for now.
In the first week of July, Garuba already began to assume that his future in the American League was not going to be easy. The Rockets sent him to the Atlanta Hawks and in a matter of days he “landed” in Oklahoma with the tradeable piece sign. The path of the youngest Spanish player to reach the NBA (19 years and 226 days) has not been easy. He arrived in the United States as number 23 in the draft and after having been chosen as the best young player in the Endesa League and also in the Euroleague. Injuries (wrist, ankle…) have only allowed him to play 99 games in two years and with an average of twelve minutes on court. All in a franchise that has only won 42 games in two years and that has no sign of recovery.
His best moment in these two seasons came precisely with the selection in the last Eurobasket. He started the preparation quite far from the rhythm of the rest of his teammates. Nothing to do with the moment of form with which he has appeared this summer. Injuries were to blame, but he managed to get hooked on the group and ended up being a decisive element defensively and also due to his ability to pass. His performance even surprised those responsible for the Rockets. “He has shown abilities that I didn’t know he had,” said Silas, his coach in Houston, with Garuba already with the gold around his neck. His status as European champion hardly improved his status in Houston. He continued to play very little and in these two years he has averaged 2.8 points and 3.9 rebounds.
Garuba is not currently considering following the path set by the Hernangómez brothers (Willy has ended up at Barça and Juancho, at Panathinaikos). His intention is to continue in the USA, but in Europe he could become a decisive player. His rights are held by Real Madrid. Another thing is that the white team decides to execute them. The club, in principle, has closed the squad with the only signing of Campazzo and the priority is to renew Edy Tavares, who is also going to play in the World Cup. The renewal of the pivot remains unfulfilled and Garuba is a very desirable piece, not only in what was his club. There are numerous EuroLeague teams that could test him out.
Amaya Valdemoro, inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame
Among the events prior to the start of the tournament, the induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame of the class of 2023 and the appointment of the Qatari Sheikh Saud Ali Al Tani as the new FIBA president were celebrated. Amaya Valdemoro is the first Spanish player to have entered the institution. In an emotional ceremony held in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, another of the championship venues, Valdemoro shared honors with various historical figures of world basketball, such as Penny Taylor (Australia), Yuko Oga (Japan), Katrina McClain (USA). .), Wlamir Marques (Brazil) or Yao Ming (China).
The woman from Madrid, who played four World Cups with the national team, took the opportunity to dedicate the recognition to four of the most important people in her career; among them, Elisa Aguilar, future president of the FEB. “I dedicate this award to four people. To my coach Miki Vukovic, who was a reference for me and the one who believed in me the most. To Elisa, with whom I met since I was 13 years old. And, of course, I also dedicate it to my father and mother, who are no longer with us, “she said.
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