Houston Rockets center Usman Garuba recently voiced his desire to play with the Spain men’s national team in the upcoming EuroBasket 2022 competition.
Garuba, who was born in Madrid, played with the senior team for the first time last year in the Tokyo Olympics. He logged four appearances, totaling four points and 11 rebounds as Spain was knocked out in the quarterfinals by the United States.
He discussed the possibility of playing in an interview with AS.
I want to go to the EuroBasket and I am available to Sergio Scariolo. We are Spain and Spain always competes. We want to fight for the medals despite the circumstances, despite the absences. We are ready for everything.
Garuba played sparingly in the Olympics on a Spain team that also featured veterans Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio and Willy Hernangomez among others. However, the team could need Garuba this year with those players’ availability unknown for EuroBasket.
The 20-year-old was the 23rd pick by the Rockets last year and averaged two points and 3.5 rebounds in 24 games. He also spent time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA G League, averaging 9.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 11 games.
EuroBasket 2022 will run Sept. 1-18 across Europe.
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