Usman Garuba takes stock. The Rockets and Spanish National Team player attended AS in an event organized by Kellogg’s‘s, a brand for which he is an ambassador. After a first season with some difficulties, the power forward assesses his first year in the NBA, talks about his new coach (Stephen Silas) and ensures that he follows the news of Real Madrid, the team in which he was trained. Garuba will be next month between “Spain and Houston”, he will continue training and is available to Sergio Scariolo for the 2022 Eurobasket, whose starting signal will be on September 1. So we talk about the present and the future of Usman Garuba, a young promise who has just turned 20 (on March 9) and that he hopes to improve and gain a foothold in the best League in the world.
Garuba, during the act.
Juan Aguado (DIARIO AS)
How are you feeling emotionally, physically and psychologically after your first year in the NBA?
I’m fine, very fine. I have learned a lot this year, it has been a learning year for me.
In the NBA there is always talk of an adaptation period, also in the non-sports part. Have you had someone doubt you in your early days in Houston?
Yes. I have been helped by people from Houston, a scout of international players, helped me find a flat with my agent. They have also helped me get to know the city, the restaurants…
Is American culture so different from European culture?
Totally different. It is another way of life.
Did you expect this in your first year? Have Usman Garuba’s expectations been met?
My expectations were to play, but I knew that the year could be difficult. I was realizing at the beginning that I couldn’t have expectations this year because I wasn’t having continuity. But I have fulfilled my expectations in relation to the work I have done. I have improved as a player, I have improved physically and mentally. Now I am a better player than before.
I knew the year could be tough
The first time you played in the G League, who told you? Was the feeling at the time one of disappointment?
Stephen Silas told me. For me it was not a blow, I thought I could play there. I wasn’t having continuity, I spent a lot of time without playing. A young player wants minutes, be it in the G League or in the first team. In your first year you want to play, you want to know how you are doing and the experience was very good for me.
How is Stephen Silas? Is he very different from Pablo Laso, your coach at Real Madrid?
I like Silas a lot, he is very clear with me. He is a very good coach, I have seen many details, especially offensive, which I liked a lot. He is different from Pablo Laso, he changes the discourse. It is very different to train in the ACB than in the NBA. In the ACB the coaches have more responsibility; the NBA is more focused on the players.
With whom you get along better? Would you highlight a colleague?
Alperen Sengun (Turkish center). He’s the one I’ve had the most relationship with. We are both Europeans and we have played against each other since we were very young. The competition I have with him is healthy.
Are you following the Real Madrid season? Do you have contact with your former colleagues?
I follow Real Madrid a lot and I have contact with my old teammates, who for me are still my teammates. My forecast for the EuroLeague Final Four is clear: champions.
My forecast for Real Madrid in the Final Four is clear: champions
And with Pablo Laso? Have you had contact?
I spoke with him the other day at the Palace. He asked me if I wanted to go out and play (laughs).
What about the Spanish NBA players? Have you had a relationship with them?
Especially with Willy and Juancho Hernangómez. When we play against each other we have talked before the games. They are the ones who have helped me the most in the adaptation and with whom I have had the most contact.
Are you watching the playoffs? Do you have any favourites?
Yes, I am seeing them. I don’t have a favourite, everything is more open than ever.
Will you be in the Eurobasket with Spain? How do you see the Selection?
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 casualties. We are ready for everything.
We are Spain and Spain always competes
How does the future of Usman Garuba look like?
I don’t know how I see myself in one, two or three years. I just hope to polish many details that I have to improve. I am working for it, I am training here, almost every day. I am ready for next year, to train and improve and give everything in Houston and in the National Team.