The secrets of Will Clyburn, the striker Barça was waiting for

BarcelonaWhen Will Clyburn was deciding whether to accept an offer to play for Virtus Bologna in the summer of 2024, a call from Toko Shengelia sealed the deal. The American forward has complete faith in the judgment of his Georgian friend, with whom he shared two years at CSKA Moscow. That relationship, forged in the sweltering heat, has stood the test of time, and therefore it's no surprise that the two now share a project at Barça. "Toko, I, and our families have a great relationship. His leadership and mental strength help any team. And I'm not just talking about basketball. As a person, he can bring clarity to any situation we face," he acknowledges. Shengelia doesn't know if he'll be able to play in this Friday's Clásico (8:30 p.m., Movistar), but Clyburn is confident he'll have a key role. Raised in Detroit, a city in decline since the automotive crisis, the forward is used to overcoming countless adversities. Surprising Real Madrid is the most immediate challenge for a player who has accumulated 251 EuroLeague games. "You always have to take advantage of opportunities; that's what makes you progress. I'm ready to start. I'm a warrior, and I'll go out there to win and help the team."

His leadership style isn't like that of other American players. "I wouldn't define myself as a vocal leader, but rather as a guy who tries to lead by example," he explains. As an experienced player and the 2019 EuroLeague MVP, Clyburn wants to bring a wealth of experience to the team and provide composure in crucial moments, as he already did with two spectacular three-pointers to defeat Paris Basketball and Partizan. "I want to win, and I'm willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to do so. I'm an experienced player and a leader who will try to help my teammates and the team. I didn't come here to act like the star of the team; I want to help everyone. I want to contribute my energy, my spirit, and my game."

Clyburn signed a two-year contract with Barça, a club that had already tried to sign him on previous occasions. "Everyone knows that Barça is a historic club and I just want to be a part of this legacy," he says. Joan Peñarroya, who gives him minutes at both wing and power forward, highly values his versatility. "I've played in different positions and I want to contribute my experience and help in any way I can," he says.

A frustrated baseball player

Will has been a slow burner. He wasn't particularly outstanding in high school. His father thought his baseball career had more potential. A small college, Marshalltown Community College, gave him the opportunity to play in the NCAA. His path took him to Utah and Iowa State, but the NBA wasn't interested, and he was left out of the draft. draft

Barça is Clyburn's seventh European team, and he is currently in his thirteenth season as a professional. The 35-year-old forward debuted with German side Ulm, where he spent two seasons (2013-15). "My only problem was adapting to the manual transmission in cars," he recalls. The following season he played in Israel for Hapoel Holon, finishing as the league's top scorer (20.9 points). His strong season earned him a move to a more competitive league like the Turkish Spurs, where he excelled with Darussafaka (2016-2017). The team where he spent the most time and achieved the greatest success was CSKA Moscow (2017-2022), where he attained his greatest individual and team achievements. Two seasons at Ephesus (league champion in 2023) and one at Virtus (Scudetto champion in 2025) complete his resume outside the United States.