Izan Almanza: “I can do everything Spain needs to win”

YoZan Almansa (Murcia, 2005) could make his debut tomorrow in the senior Spanish national team. He The 2.08 m tall power forward, 19 years old, is considered the best junior in the world. after being MVP of the U17 World Cup and U18 European Championship in 2022 and MVP of the U19 World Cup.left the quarry real Madrid At the age of 16 he continued his career in the USA, and now plays in Australia, from where he hopes to get into the NBA. The pearl of Spanish basketball admits in an interview with MARCA.

Ask. What is the atmosphere like in the senior team?

Reply. There is a very good atmosphere here. There are several young people whom I already knew. I feel very comfortable with everyone, they made us feel very welcome and they are all very nice people.

Question: Have any veterans given you any advice?

R. Yes, especially Fran Guerra, Yankuba and Fran Vasquez, who is here. I ask them for everything I need and they always help me.

Q: What did Scariolo ask you to contribute?

R. He asked me how I was doing in Australia and if my game had improved there. He told me to be myself, play without fear and concentrate.

Scariolo told me to be myself, play without fear and concentrate.

Question: In 2021, at the age of 16, you left the Real Madrid youth team to go to the United States. Was it difficult to make such a decision?

R. It was something unexpected, an opportunity that arose overnight, it caught my attention, and although it was a risk, I wanted to try something new. Playing in the USA is always a dream. I made this decision and I think it was right.

Question. What lessons have you learned from your three years at the Overtime Elite Academy and the NCAA with Ignite?

A. Yes, first of all you understand that there are many people who are trying to reach the highest level and that you have to work much harder than you do because these people are doing it and it is very difficult to reach the elite.

Leaving Real Madrid for the United States was something unexpected, an opportunity that arose overnight, it caught my attention, and although it was a risk, I wanted to try something new. It was the right decision

Question: Is it true that you have gained 20 kilograms in weight since 2021? How did he achieve this?

R. Lots of gym, protein, food… and especially on those days when you least want to go to the gym, then go. Do double sessions and trust what your physical trainers tell you. So I gained strength and continue to gain strength.

Question: Obviously, since you emigrated, things have gone well for you, especially in the training categories with the Spanish national team. There are those who think he is the best junior in the world. Is praise motivation or pressure?

R. No pressure, just everything I’ve achieved individually and collectively means being called a certain way. It’s more than pressure, it motivates you to keep proving it every day.

Question: How would you describe yourself to someone who has never seen you play?

R. I am an energetic, versatile player who can do a little bit of everything. I can do everything the team needs to win: score, defend, rebound…

I am an energetic, versatile player who can do a little bit of everything. I can do everything the team needs to win: score, defend, rebound…

Q. What are your strengths and weaknesses, if any?

R. My strengths are rebounding and post play, and neither are my weaknesses, although I certainly have room for improvement in all areas.

Question. Which players did you recommend?

R. No one in particular from Pau Gasol’s team or the NBA. I don’t really follow the Euroleague and the ACB, I watched it in my youth and then I really liked Shengelia.

Question: Is your priority goal to play in the NBA? He signed on for the latest project but was dropped at the last minute. Is this still your dream?

R. Yes, last year I was able to train with several franchises and see how they work. If I could play there in the future I would be happy because they are the best.

Question: You are currently playing in Australia for the Perth Wildcats, the team where the last overall pick in the draft, Frenchman Alex Sarr (Wizards), came from. Is the reason for going there because it’s a bigger opportunity to get into the NBA?

R. I don’t know if it’s a better show than ACB, but they have a very good basketball program.

This year I was able to train with several NBA teams and see how they work. I will be glad to have the opportunity to play there in the future because they are the best.

Question: You and the incoming youth will have to support Spain in the medium term. Do you think that approaching the level of success achieved by the best generation of Spanish basketball would be an impossible task? What mentality are you approaching this with? Will they remain competitive?

R. The choice will always remain competitive. We’ve had a lot of very good years and I don’t know if we can reach that many finals, but even in those moments when it seems like we won’t, this team has always proven to be very competitive. There’s a good group of youngsters who have achieved a lot in training and I think we can continue to do that at the highest level.”

We know there’s a lot at stake, but I don’t see anyone tense or under pressure here.

Question: Do you know how much money is at stake in this EuroBasket qualifying window? Are you noticing pressure?

R. We know there’s a lot at stake, but I don’t see anyone tense or under pressure here. We are training very hard to win both games this weekend and qualify.