Ricky Rubio and Devon

Christmas came early for Devon van Oostrum and the brothers Van Nes from Southampton Trailblazers. They had been invited by the big Spanish ACB club Joventut Badalona for a 4-day visit. Joventut is renowned for its youth development, having produced players such as Rudy Fernandez (now starring for the Portland Trailblazers) and is the current club of 18-year old superstar Ricky Rubio. Devon and Vincent were both part of the England U16 team last year, and young Lucas van Nes is also generally regarded as one of the future England ‘bigs’. They now were able to experience basketball Spanish style, with two daily practices; one individual session led by legendary Joventut star Josep Ma Margall (two Olympics and a retired Joventut jersey in the stadium) and an evening session with the Joventut U18 or U20 team. Matched up against talents from Montenegro, Germany, Holland, Czech Republic, and of course Spain, the English players, kitted out in Joventut practice kit, had to up their level daily. All players improved visibly and will take their Spanish lessons onto the English courts.

The basketball practices were only part of the basketball experience. Here was a professional team at work, with an amazing stadium (courtesy of the 1992 Olympics), a visible daily basketball culture, and friendly people everywhere. Picked up in a Joventut Mercedes minibus for every practice, a 4-course meal after practice, and a lovely siesta in between practices (Devon’s favourite), it was the lifestyle of the professional basketball players in Spain. The boys watched a 1st team practice and got to meet some of the players, almost all millionaires, such as Ricky Rubio, another young future NBA lottery pick Henk Norel, and American guard Mallet; meeting other foreign young players attached to the club was also a real eye opener. There was time for a visit to the Badalona beach and Barcelona, with as highlight people coming up to the Van Nes family (all 6’9+) on La Rambla, taking pictures and talking basketball.

Muchas Gracias to the Spanish hosts!