By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Barcelona guard/wing and Draft prospect Leandro Bolmaro said that he will skip any potential opportunities to go to the NBA in the upcoming season and instead stay with the Blaugrana. The soon-to-be 20-year-old Argentinian player is currently projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick by various mock drafts.
“The dream of every player is to be at the highest possible level in the world, but now I’m with Barcelona and I have a new contract. I have a great chance to play,” Bolmaro said in an Instagram interview with Toda Pasion, per Gigantes. “I have to thank the club and the coaches. I want to play here. Last year I learned a lot and it’s a great experience to continue training.” Bolmaro signed a three-year contract extension with Barcelona earlier in August.
“Now, I’m focused on Barcelona, the NBA will come later if it’s my turn. I’m still very young and I want to play here because I feel very comfortable,” Bolmaro also said.
Regarding where he’ll be selected in the upcoming Draft, Bolmaro mentioned that: “I don’t give a lot of thought to this. One day you are up, another day you are down. I’d rather be focused on basketball.”
In 2019-2020, Bolmaro made his debut with Barcelona’s senior team, averaging 5.1 points, 1.7 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 12:54 minutes over nine games of the Spanish ACB League. He also had six EuroLeague appearances.
Next season Bolmaro will get a chance to further develop his game and receive more playing time under the tutelage of coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. “He always tells me to do my best, to always be prepared because he will give me opportunities. I’m going to play in the Euroleague and ACB, at a high level, and I have to do my best for the team.”