By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Prior to the Olympic Games, Luis Scola was expected to retire following his run in Tokyo. His decision regarding his playing career, in general, is pending, but he has indeed played his last game for the Argentina national team.
“It’s been fun,” he said replying to a question of completing a legendary career at the international level on the same day as Pau and Marc Gasol, “It’s time for new faces to come. It’s our time to go.”
Merely moments before, he received a standing ovation while checking out of the Olympic Game quarterfinal against Australia. Fans missed out with the contest held behind closed doors, but both teammates, opponents, coaches, and everyone else at the Saitama Super Arena presented him the prolonged applause.
“It was a very emotional moment and I was not expecting that,” he confessed. “I didn’t think too much about the moment before. I tried to stay away from all that. I thought we were going to win the game. It was a very special moment and I appreciate it – this Australian team – the way they acted with everybody, with every player on the court. It was a very nice recognition. I am very proud and I enjoyed it.”
“It’s the least we could do – to have a moment there for him. It was a rock in the throat type of situation. We always talk about how great he is as a basketball player, but he is an even greater human. A family man. And we now wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life,” added Patty Mills of Australia.
Scola, 41, the last member of Argentina’s golden generation peaking at the gold medal of the 2004 Olympics was forced to a defeat by a margin of 38 points on Tuesday. His exit was far from ideal, but he logged seven points and four rebounds in just over 25 minutes.
His international career started at the junior level back in 1995. At the senior level, besides gold in 2004, he captured a bronze medal in the 2008 Games. He also received a couple of World Cup silver medals in 2002 and 2019.
“I just came here to play. Obviously, I am 41 and most likely I won’t play anymore,” he mentioned strongly hinting towards retiring at the club level as well, “I don’t think I have the energy to do the things that I had to do to play at the level I want to play. It’s just a matter of time. But most likely I won’t play (anymore).”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL