In the summer of 2020, when he was only 30 years old, Xevi Pujol became the youngest sporting director in the Liga Endesa. The Catalan, whom Jaume Ponsarnau saw coaching in the Bàsquet Manresa youth system when he proposed he be his assistant, moved from the court to the offices with great ease. His arrival caused some surprise. "They made a few jokes, because they were a bit surprised to see someone so young, but I was lucky enough to see how the machinery works for a long time. The sporting director makes the final decision, but before that, there's a lot of discussion with the people in the offices and the technical staff", explained in an interview with ARA.

Tight game. Growing emotion. The Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks are battling for victory in a very close match. Kayla McBride visits the free-throw line, at which point the entire arena hears the shouts of a fan. "Rickea!", he exclaims. He says it with so much energy that the television broadcast picks it up. Oblivious to the game's score, the fan implores Rickea Jackson, forward for the Sparks, to try and score more points because he needs to win his parlay bet.

Xevi Pujol will land at Barça next week with almost all the work done. The Barça club expects to announce the incorporation of the new technical secretary from August 3, when two months will have passed since he announced his departure to Baskonia. The Culer team, led by Xavier O'Callaghan and Mario Fernández, has made many moves in what has become the busiest summer in the entity's history.Barça has already closed nine player signings, but there will be more. Olivier Nkamhoua, Justin Robinson, Josh Nebo, Umoja Gibson, Agustín Ubal, Stanley Umude, Olek Balcerowski, Tyrese Martin, and Tosan Evbuomwan are already confirmed. In addition, the club has incorporated Aleksander Sekulic as coach. “I know what my idea is and I know how to execute it. My main desire is to convince the players to represent the club's colors with sacrifice, fight, and a desire to win titles. The team has been formed with this idea in mind. The truth is that the average age of the squad was quite high, around 34 years old. The renewal was the first logical step. Barça needed a new impulse to strengthen the club's identity and culture,” he assures in an interview with Sportklub.The Slovenian coach acknowledges that he did not expect to sign for the Barça club. “I assumed that Barça already had an agreement with a new coach, but it turned out that this information was not correct. They were interested in me, as the club had an idea to impose a new direction and were looking for a coach to undertake it. It seems that in me they have seen a coach with a similar vision”, assures Sekulic, who has already spoken with Joan Laporta. “He wanted to meet me in person”, he says.The bad news are the departures. If we add first team players, coaches and young talents from the academy, more than fifteen people will not continue with Barça. The most painful departures are those of people who had contracts, like Xavi Pascual, Juani Marcos, Will Clyburn, Toko Shengelia and Moses Wright, who paid his termination clause before the club announced his signing. The center, who will leave 900,000 euros to the coffers of the Barça club, will play for Olimpia Milan. The non-arrival of Mike James is different, as it was Barça who backed down. The player had signed his contract, but the Barça entity did not.Shengelia's departure is also very painful. Although it had not been made public, the Georgian small forward had renewed for three years just a few months ago, when he still thought that Xavi Pascual and his friend Will Clyburn would remain on the team. Despite not wanting to abandon Barça, the player has decided, after a complex period of reflection, to move to Dubai Basketball. His clause is also 900,000 euros.

The years go by and Queralt Casas maintains her passion intact. After seven seasons at Valencia Basket, the Bescanó player will strengthen the Spar Girona project, where she arrives eager to prove herself. “I have very good feelings and I am very happy to be able to return home. I am convinced that we will enjoy this season a lot and that we will experience many magical moments at Fontajau,” admits the shooting guard, who will reunite with Roberto Íñiguez, with whom she already coincided at Sopron.Casas, who is training these days at ExtraTime in Fornells de la Selva, has now fully recovered from the fracture of the ulna and radius she had in her left arm. “Injuries are the toughest part of sports, nobody wants to go through them, but once you have them and accept them, you have to work to return as soon as possible. The truth is that I recovered very well, I have good feelings and I have already forgotten about it,” she acknowledges.

Tired of the few future options he saw in Senegal, Awa Fam's father traveled to Alicante, where he had a friend who helped him process his papers and find work. His wife arrived shortly after and the family settled in Santa Pola. His parents, Madoumbe and Arane, ran an African craft shop, but when she was born at Elche Hospital they closed it to dedicate themselves to street vending.

The Aleksander Sekulic era at Can Barça began this Wednesday. The blaugrana club and Sekulic have reached an agreement for the incorporation of the coach as the new head of the culer bench. The 48-year-old coach will sign a contract until June 30, 2028, and will become the first Slovenian coach in the history of Barça basketball.

The story of Emir Sulejmanovic is one that moves. The new Asisa Joventut player was born on July 13, 1995, two days after the Srebrenica massacre, where at least 8,000 Bosnian men were murdered. From adolescents to the elderly. "My life was very complicated from a young age. What was experienced in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a tragedy. The city of Srebrenica bore the brunt, as it was bombed," recalls the green-and-black pivot.

Barça has decided to trust Xevi Pujol and Aleksander Sekulic to revive the basketball section. The club will relocate Joan Carles Navarro, who still has two more years of contract, but the former player no longer participates in strategic decisions. The idea of the Culer entity is to rejuvenate the project and look for a style of players who can develop a more modern and dynamic style of play.

After 23 seasons in the NBA, LeBron James faces his most difficult decision. The King, who will not continue playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, is looking for a new team with which to achieve his fifth NBA championship ring. The 41-year-old forward is one of the few players who can stand up to Michael Jordan in the debate about the greatest player of all time. His status as a free agent will allow him to choose the jersey he will wear in what will surely be his farewell season in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Heat, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are some of the franchises that dream of signing him. Each has its own narrative. Some have a better chance of fighting for the championship ring, while others have an emotional factor.For years his salary was prohibitive for most teams. Last season, he earned $52.6 million (about 46.1 million euros) with the Lakers. But now the player is willing to play for the veteran minimum salary, and therefore, money will carry less weight in competitive possibilities.James dominated the NBA between 2011 and 2018, when he played eight consecutive finals. His titles with the Miami Heat (2012 and 2013), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and the Los Angeles Lakers (2020) placed him among the greatest players of all time, a distinction that has been fueled by his individual records. LeBron surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer.Even though he is far from his best version, LeBron James continues to be a differential player, as he combines the competitive voracity of Kobe Bryant with an altruism that he had parked during the first years of his professional career. Last season he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. The Lakers, rebuilt

After the announcement that LeBron James will not play in Los Angeles, the Lakers used their freed-up salary cap to close four signings worth $261 million (approximately 228.5 million euros): Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton. The additions are meant to complete a project led by Austin Reaves and, above all, Luka Doncic. “It was a true honor to wear the Lakers colors while trying to continue the greatness and legacy of those who came before me,” James said.

]]>

"They will go crazy." Kevin Punter opened Pandora's box with an enigmatic message on social media. A few weeks after Moses Wright announced he had signed for Barça, the center plans to pay his release clause to avoid putting on the blaugrana team's jersey. As journalist Víctor Lavagnini (TV3) explains, the good relationship with Mike James, the player who threatens to take the blaugrana club to court for breaching his pre-contract, has been key for the former Zalgiris player to have doubts about the culé project.

]]>

On July 9, 1951, 75 years ago, the Harlem Globetrotters visited Catalonia for the first time with a game that gathered 12,000 spectators at the Pavelló de l’Esport on Llançà street in Barcelona. A testament to the event's significance was the presence in the box of José Ibáñez Martín, Minister of National Education, and Felipe Acedo Colunga, civil governor.“Rarely will we see glimpses of their hilarious exhibition again, a basketball as perfect as the one Abe Saperstein's negroes offered us,” explained the article that Mundo Deportivo published two days later, on July 11. A few weeks earlier, the sports newspaper had advertised the Harlem Globetrotters as “the negroes of the No-Do”.The invited rival of the day were the Boston Wirlwinds, who lost against the Harlem Globetrotters (47-44). Before this exhibition, another friendly match was played in which the Catalan team lost against Sewanee University (46-40).

]]>

A study conducted with 228 basketball players warns that menstrual cycle alterations are prevalent among elite athletes and that this can affect both their well-being and their performance. The collective research, carried out by Pilar Crespo, Nuria Herranz, Víctor Estella, Esther Morencos, María Herranz, and Gil Roda, head of the medical area of the Barça Innovation Hub, concludes that more research is needed to better understand the impact on athletes' quality of life, performance, and susceptibility to injuries.More than three-quarters of the players surveyed reported dysmenorrhea (86.8%) and premenstrual syndrome (77.6%). In addition, more than half of the athletes stated they had heavy menstrual bleeding during menstruation and a quarter of the players included in the study reported having had amenorrhea at some point in their menstrual life.Previous research had shown how menstruation-related symptoms, such as abdominal cramps, tiredness, or fatigue, can limit players' training capacity, but the specific characteristics of the menstrual cycle and its relationship with performance, well-being, and injuries in athletes are not well understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to better understand the characteristics of the menstrual cycle (menarche, length, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, etc.) and the use of hormonal contraceptives among elite basketball players.More than 70% of women experience symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, and physical discomfort during the premenstrual phase. In addition, most suffer from primary dysmenorrhea, intense and debilitating pain. Half of the women also report intense cramps, nausea, or headaches. To avoid these types of discomfort during important moments of the season, it is not unusual for female athletes to resort to hormonal contraceptives, as they help control the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, and other conditions. Pills suppress ovulation and reduce the thickness of the endometrium, which decreases prostaglandin production and, consequently, uterine contractions and menstrual pain. The problem is the side effects; weight changes and breast tenderness and pain. A quarter of the study participants reported using hormonal contraceptives. The most used (23.2%) was the oral pill.The researchers' conclusion is that more research and preventive and healthcare measures are needed for female athletes, because the prevalence of menstrual symptoms is high, cycle alterations are relatively frequent and can affect performance and increase injury risk. And it is especially relevant that many players do not have regular medical check-ups.Studies designed for men

As Raúl Medina, co-founder of Drop It, warns, there is a deficit in the control of women's health in sports. “80% or 90% of sports studies are conducted excluding female physiology and, therefore, training advice is given with men's hormonal bases in mind. Many studies tell women that they have to train like men. This, fortunately, is changing, because otherwise the results are not optimal,” he says.

]]>

As reported by 'Mundo Deportivo', Mike James does not accept Barça's retraction and threatens to take the Catalan club to court. The AS Monaco player signed a contract with the Catalan club, but the Culer entity wanted to retract the decision when they learned that Xavi Pascual would leave Barcelona. The coach from Gavà, who will pay his termination clause to move to Dubai Basket, was the main advocate for the North American player.

]]>

A desperate Real Madrid, after closing a season in which they have spent more money in their history than ever before, has decided to make a surprising change of course. The white club will dismiss Sergio Scariolo and pay the one-million-euro termination clause to sign Pedro Martínez, the Catalan coach who has just led Valencia Basket to the ACB League title. Florentino Pérez has promised him a contract until 2029.

]]>

The Catalan team has been left with honey on its lips against Great Britain (74-76), a much more seasoned opponent that is preparing to play the World Cup qualifying matches. Lluís Costa missed the final three-pointer that would have given victory to the team coached by Jaume Ponsarnau, who had a very complete game at the Nou Congost.

]]>

Three years without titles. The Barça basketball team closed the centenary year with a new disappointment against Valencia Basket (84-108). The Barça team could not compete against a project as well conceived as it was trained. Jean Montero, an MVP of only 22 years who left applauded, and Kam Taylor once again excelled in the tactical proposal of the Catalan Pedro Martínez, who managed to add Omari Moore to the party. The orange team won their second ACB League trophy. The feeling of local powerlessness was very painful. Surrender was the only dignified way out possible.The night, which did not count on the presence of Joan Laporta, who is already thinking about redesigning the section, saw some very emotional farewells. That of Xavi Pascual, who is leaving the project; that of Jan Vesely, who is retiring; that of Nico Laprovittola and Tomás Satoransky, without a renewal offer, that of Carles Cascante, who is changing roles within the club, and that of Xavier Saisó, the legendary journalist from Ràdio Barcelona, who is retiring."Valencia Basket was much better than us. We wanted to finish in a better way, but it wasn't possible. We played at the limit of our possibilities, but it wasn't enough for us. We didn't lack work and sacrifice," analyzed Xavi Pascual. The coach left Juan Núñez and Miles Norris out of the squad. Barça ended up as exhausted as they were annoyed with the refereeing of Antonio Conde, Martín Caballero, and Alfonso Olivares."

]]>

Cruel night at the Palau Blaugrana. Barça wasn't enough with an unbelievable comeback to beat Valencia Basket (80-88). After recovering an 18-point deficit, the Catalan team ran out of energy to finish the job. The faith of the Culer squad went unrewarded on the night they deserved it most. Without a good game from Kevin Punter and Will Clyburn, the locals were left on the ropes (2-1).

]]>

Despair has reached the white house. After Florentino Pérez rescued Juan Carlos Sánchez to lead Real Madrid's basketball section, Sergio Rodríguez announced his resignation on social media. The former player, until now sports director, does not want to work with someone he does not get along with. "After deep reflection, this afternoon I have informed the president of my decision to put an end to my time at the head of the sports management of our basketball section. I have sincerely thanked him for the opportunity and the trust he has placed in me during this season," he said.Rodríguez, who has tried to modernize the section, has paid for a season without titles. Valencia Basket prevented him from lifting the Supercopa Endesa, Kosner Baskonia left him without the Copa del Rey, and Olympiacos prevented his success in the Euroleague. "I have enjoyed every moment with passion, with the vision of building a stronger, more sustainable, and professional section, in an increasingly challenging context," Rodríguez has acknowledged.Despite having a budget much higher than its domestic rivals, Sergio Scariolo's Madrid has not achieved the expected results, and the team was left without competing in the ACB League semifinals. "I leave with pride in the work done, with great learnings, and with the satisfaction of having found a profession that I am passionate about," summarizes Rodríguez, who has a very difficult relationship with Sánchez, which stems from his time as a player.Martynas Pocius and Paco Robles, Chacho's two main advisors, will also not continue at Madrid, which plans to strengthen its structure with Rudy Fernández. Florentino Pérez's shake-up arrives at a very delicate moment, as it will affect the planning for next season. The club travels to the past to try to regain lost prestige. The future of Sergio Scariolo, who has the president's confidence, will be one of the first strategic decisions.

]]>

Not every day is Sunday. Barça could not repeat Thursday's comeback and lost against Valencia Basket (102-75). The orange team, which managed to lead by 36 points, tied the final with a collective exhibition (1-1). Kevin Punter, who was disqualified, and Will Clyburn, two of the great references of the blaugrana squad, ended up frustrated by the defensive variations designed by Pedro Martínez. Between the two of them, they only managed to score 4 points.

]]>

Great game at the Roig Arena. After recovering from a 14-point deficit, Barça beat Valencia Basket in overtime in one of the best games ever seen in the ACB League finals (112-113). The Catalan team, which achieved the record for three-pointers in a play-off (19), went from less to more on a night when veterans Will Clyburn and Nico Laprovittola became the Barça heroes.

]]>