Spanish national team forward Usman Garuba is looking forward to joining forces with Lorenzo Brown in the upcoming EuroBasket.
Usman Garuba
| Team: |
Houston Rockets |
| Position: | C, PF |
| Age: | 20 |
| Height: | 203 cm |
| Weight: | 104 kg |
| Birth place: | Madrid, Spain |
The Houston Rockets player shared his thoughts on controversial Brown's naturalization topic.
Maccabi point guard obtained Spanish citizenship and will join Sergio Scariolo's squad this summer.
It drew some harsh reactions in the Spanish basketball community, including the national team captain Rudy Fernandez.
The Spanish Players Union statement condemned the decision, noting that 'the express Spanish naturalization of a player without any roots in Spain sends a very harmful message to national athletes and has a negative impact on both the present and the future.'
Spanish NT captain Rudy Fernandez was also concerned he 'found out from the media that they had nationalized the player who had no link with the country.'
But a 20-year-old Garuba, who made his national team debut in the 2022 Tokyo Olympics, shared a different view of the situation.
"Basketball is getting global," Garuba told BasketNews in the Las Vegas Summer League. "I think we have a lot of players in that position that can help. But I understand why the federation is doing that. Maybe some people will like it, and some not. But as long as it makes us win, everything else doesn't matter."
The president of the Spanish basketball federation Jorge Garbajosa defended his decision.
"Lorenzo has given up his American passport to play for Spain. He has left many things behind, and it is appreciated," Garbajosa stressed via COPE.
"If you have a player with such a great interest in playing, it would be a mistake to let it go," he added.
Garuba thinks that Lorenzo Brown will add a lot of quality.
"Lorenzo is a very good defensive player and passer. I played against him many times. I think he's a great guy. We have to learn to play with him for the upcoming EuroBasket through friendly games. I'm excited to have him," Garuba added.
The 23rd pick of the 2021 NBA draft is coming off an injury-plagued season.
In 24 games with the Rockets, Garuba averaged 2.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 10 minutes per game.
He was also forced to sit out the remainder of the Summer League due to an ankle injury.
But he can't wait to join the Spanish national team this summer.
"I will play. I intend to play. Obviously, I'm not doing Summer League because I'm injured. But I'm working out for being in the best shape for the national team," Garuba confirmed to BasketNews.
