By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Lorenzo Brown officially became a Spanish citizen, as announced by the Boletin Oficial del Estado, BOE.
Brown, 31, was expected to be granted Spanish citizenship and debut at the Spain senior national team in the 2022 EuroBasket. Sergio Scariolo’s options at point guard were limited by Ricky Rubio being sidelined since he tore his left ACL last December and Sergio Rodriguez ending his international career following the 2020 Olympic Games held last summer. Backed by the assistance of the Spanish Basketball Federation, FEB, the Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv newcomer became eligible to take over at the point.
The Spain national team selector Scariolo worked with Brown during his stint at the Toronto Raptors as an assistant coach.
Coming out of NC State, the explosive guard was picked up by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 52nd overall pick of the 2013 NBA draft. He played in 107 NBA games between the Raptors, Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Philadelphia 76ers. He also displayed his talents in China but since 2019 has focused on building up his career in Europe.
Making waves at Crvena Zvezda mts, Fenerbahce Beko, and UNICS, he recorded 88 games played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague the last three seasons and last week joined forces with Maccabi to extend his run in Europe’s premier club continental competition.
Prior to the next campaign at the club level, Brown will join La Roja and compete in Group A of the preliminary round against Bulgaria, Georgia, Belgium, Montenegro, and Turkey in Tbilisi, Georgia. The top four national teams will advance to the knockout stage and travel to Berlin alongside the other 15 remaining contenders for the EuroBasket championship.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net