Dame Sarr, a traumatic escape for Barça

BarcelonaDespite not having the permission of Barça Basketball, Dame Sarr left for the United States. The young Italian, whose contract expires in June, will play in Portland at the Nike Hoops Summit, an exhibition match that serves as a showcase for promising young players. The Blaugrana club will announce its disciplinary measures shortly. "The club, which has invested significantly in the training and athletic development of the player residing at La Masia, reserves the right to defend its interests through any means it deems appropriate," the club stated.

"On a personal level, it's a huge disappointment. Maybe I'm older, but I can't understand it. He should be grateful to a club that has been training him since he was 15, so that big offers come in for him. He should also be committed to the team. A team like Barça has given him the opportunity, coming out of , Barça's coach.

The manager from Egarense is very critical of the player's environment. "Sometimes, since everything moves so quickly with young people, it's possible that he isn't given enough value and it seems like everything is very easy. He was a player who was just playing. From that point on, I don't understand who advises him. That he places more importance on playing in a tournament for young boys than playing a game like the Clásico... well, I don't understand it at all," he admits.

Sarr is determined to play in the NCAA. The university with the best chance of securing his services is Illinois, which already has the Italian's former roommate at La Masia, Kasparas Jakučionis. The Lithuanian point guard, who is also 18 years old, is earning around $750,000 per season, a figure unattainable by any European team.

Forced by circumstances, Peñarroya called up Raúl Villar, Sayon Keita, and Mathieu Grujicic, all 17 years old. to complete the squad against MadridThis Friday, when Barça plays for its Euroleague future, they will have to find a similar solution.

Ruzic, an opposite case

Sarr's decision serves to summarize a long-standing problem that affects more than just Barça. Michael Ruzic, a Croatian power forward for Joventut, also had an offer to play in the Nike Hoops Summit, but the player chose to stay in Badalona. La Penya, however, has seen players like Conrad Martínez, Rubén Prey, and Karim López also leave for the United States.

"This departure of young players to universities is a huge threat to clubs that invest in training. We are analyzing what possibilities we have to defend ourselves. We must continue believing in our work and understand that there are future projects that are creating, like Ruzic. I hope that his example will help us attract young players," he explains.

"We have injured players and the team needed me. If I went to Portland for the Nike Summit, I wouldn't be able to play in the games against MoraBanc Andorra and Baxi Manresa, which are very important to fight for the title." play-off", Ruzic clarified. The player arrived in Badalona in the summer of 2023 from KK Zadar. Joventut convinced him with a decisive commitment and a good strategic plan to boost his development. The center rejected offers from important universities in the United States and even from Valencia Basket and Gran Canario, a former player, Peña, treats young players. His experience convinced him. business", they say at the club, an entity internationally recognized for its commitment to young players.