By Alex Madrid/ info@eurohoops.net
Joventut Badalona has completed major signings for the next season, but also saw runs from players of the likes of Klemen Prepelic and Alen Omic being completed. Head coach Carles Duran talked to L’ Esportiu de Catalunya about the former stars of the team based in Catalonia.
“I’ve had players with character, but at some point this year it had overtaken me,” he confessed replying to a question on Prepelic who since joined Turkish Airlines EuroLeague outlet Valencia, “I tried to help him but he lost his mind during the competition.”
“They are extraordinary and good players,” he added including Omic into the picture, “But they are close friends and at some point, they didn’t understand or we didn’t help them and they got out of the way we wanted to.”
Ante Tomic, Pau Ribas, and Ferran Bassas highlight the additions for the 2020-21 season that will once again feature Badalona in both the 7DAYS EuroCup and ACB. Captain Albert Ventura and long-time squad member Xabi Lopez-Arostegui are among the remaining players.
“People who had more weight in the locker room like Ventura or Xabi have not been able to integrate them and have formed a parallel group,” furthered Duran on the 2019-20 situation, “What has happened to us is everyone’s responsibility.”