2023-08-15 00:27:14
Juan Núñez (4-6-2004, Madrid) decided to emigrate to Germany last summer because his future at Real Madrid was not very clear. He opted to have minutes in a team from the upper-middle class of the Bundesliga, Ratiopharm Ulm, and the decision could not have been more successful. He signed for three years with the option of an NBA exit that is not very burdensome for his checking account. He was looking for minutes, progress and settle in the elite. Full. He won the Bundesliga and averaged 20 minutes on court in the German League and in the Eurocup, the second European competition. The loss of Lorenzo Brown and the subsequent resignation of Ricky Rubio from the national team to take care of his mental health led to Scariolo’s call. Other alternatives were not handled either and Núñez was already in the first friendly against Venezuela.
The FEB Centennial Tournament, against Slovenia and the United States, has revealed that it is for demanding companies. Last year, together with Fran Guerra, he was the last discard for the Eurobasket that ended with gold in Berlin. «Juan Núñez has gone far beyond what we thought he could reach when we called him. He has done well and has shown that he is a player who will have an important future with the national team if he improves and continues to grow. I trust him because he is a boy with an excellent mentality and very clear ideas. Obviously he still lacks a lot of experience at the international level and in professional competitions », was Scariolo’s reflection that August 30 when he announced the dismissal. Beyond that, the coach demanded a considerable improvement in his outside shot because if a point guard doesn’t threaten in that sense, he can paint little in the elite. And Núñez has improved.
Before the United States he started. He ran into the cornerstone of the US team, Jalen Brunson. The Knicks point guard taught him in the first quarter what awaits him in a great competition. Núñez was able to recover and in the third period he starred in some of the best minutes for the team with the comeback after going ten down at halftime. Juan finished with 21:50 on the court, 8 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals and the feeling that the game was not great for him at all.
Scariolo wants him to gain all the confidence possible before facing the championship. Hence his message in Malaga: «Without going too much into the merit of the individual benefits at this point in the preparation, I think Juan Núñez has played a good game. He will have to play, he will have to play. We are happy with him and the teammates have to support him and help him. He also has to help himself, he is growing well and of course he and Alberto Díaz are two players who, knocking on wood, will be part of the team that will play in the World Cup. They will share out the role of base, just as occasionally someone can help them, but the bulk will be on top of them. Have fun”. They are the two pure point guards in the group and both will be in the World Cup. The ownership thing is not important, but Scariolo is very convinced by the role of altering party dynamics with Alberto Díaz coming off the bench.
The tournament played at the Carpena, the last one with Jorge Garbajosa as president of the FEB, has left more clues. The Hernangómez brothers, and that Willy has started weaker than a year ago, and Aldama are essential to think big. Abrines can offer things like he had never done before in the national team. Garuba’s right ankle is not serious and his intensity is irreplaceable. Like Claver’s physique and experience. Llull will be expected until the end and Brizuela has been assigned the role of microwave from the bench. Jaime Fernández, Abalde, Pradilla and Sebas Saiz aim to be the last four discards.
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